CBSE Class 3 English NCERT Solutions: Chapter 13 Little by Little

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 3 PDF

This section provides comprehensive NCERT Solutions for CBSE Class 3 English, Chapter 13, titled 'Little by Little'. The solutions cover questions related to the poem, focusing on the growth of a seed into a tree and the importance of trees. Students will learn about the essential elements required for a seed to grow, identify descriptive words used in the poem, and understand the contrasting depictions of trees in two different pictures. The solutions explain how trees benefit us by providing fruits, oxygen, wood, and medicines, and also highlight the ways in which humans harm trees through cutting, pollution, and over-exploitation. These solutions are designed to help students grasp the poem's themes and prepare effectively for their exams.

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Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 3
SubjectEnglish
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 13

Chapter summary

Chapter 13 of the CBSE Class 3 English textbook, 'Little by Little', focuses on the life cycle of a tree and its significance. The NCERT Solutions provided here break down the poem's verses to explain how a tiny acorn grows into a mighty oak. It covers the basic needs of a seed for germination and growth, such as water, air, and soil. The solutions also help students identify descriptive words and understand the contrast between how trees are nurtured and how they are harmed by human activities, reinforcing the importance of conservation.

Learning outcomes

  • Identify the tree that an acorn grows into.
  • List the essential requirements for a seed to grow.
  • Recognize and use descriptive words from the poem.
  • Compare and contrast the benefits trees provide with the ways humans harm them.
  • Understand the importance of trees for human life and the environment.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Seed germination
  • Tree growth
  • Parts of a tree
  • Benefits of trees
  • Environmental conservation
  • Descriptive words (adjectives)
  • Poem comprehension
  • Human impact on nature

Important topics

  • Understanding seed growth requirements
  • Identifying descriptive words in poetry
  • The dual role of humans: nurturing vs. harming trees
  • The importance of trees for life

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

Name the tree that the acorn grows into.
Solution: An acorn, which is a small nut from an oak tree, grows into a large and mighty oak tree over time. This transformation highlights the potential for growth from something very small.

Question 2

What things does a seed need to grow?
Solution: For a seed to successfully germinate and grow into a plant or tree, it requires several essential elements from its environment. These crucial components include adequate water to soften the seed coat and activate growth processes, air (oxygen) for respiration, and fertile soil which provides nutrients and anchorage for the developing roots.

Question 3

How many describing words can you find in this poem?
Solution: The poem 'Little by Little' uses several descriptive words to paint a picture of growth and nature. Some of the key describing words found in the poem include: slowly (describing the pace of growth), improving (describing the state of growth), deep (describing roots), sipped (describing how water is taken), tiny (describing the seed), slender (describing the stem), and mighty (describing the full-grown tree).

Question 4

Look at the two pictures. Find four things that are different about these trees and talk about them.
Solution: The two pictures present contrasting views of trees and their relationship with humans. Here are four key differences:
  1. Benefit vs. Harm: Picture 1 shows a tree that is beneficial, providing essential things like fruits and medicines. In contrast, Picture 2 depicts humans harming the tree, for example, by bringing wood around it, suggesting it's being prepared for cutting.
  2. Tree's Expression: In Picture 1, the tree appears happy and healthy, with its stem and leaves depicted as smiling. However, in Picture 2, the tree looks sad and is shown weeping, reflecting the distress caused by human actions.
  3. Animal Interaction: Picture 1 suggests a harmonious environment where birds might be happy in the tree's branches. Picture 2 shows birds moving away from the tree, indicating they are disturbed or leaving due to the negative human impact.
  4. Human Action: Picture 1 implicitly shows humans receiving benefits from the tree. Picture 2 explicitly shows humans taking actions that harm the tree, such as surrounding it with wood or potentially causing pollution, leading to the tree's suffering.

Question 5

Look at the Picture -1. Write three sentences on what the trees give us.
Solution: Trees are incredibly valuable to us and provide numerous essential benefits for our survival and well-being. Based on the depiction in Picture 1, here are three key things trees give us:
  1. Trees provide us with nourishing food in the form of fruits and vegetables, which are vital parts of our diet.
  2. They are crucial for our environment as they produce the fresh oxygen that we breathe, helping to keep the air clean.
  3. Trees also give us wood, which is a valuable resource used for building shelters, making furniture, and for fuel. Additionally, they are a source of medicines that help in treating various illnesses.

Question 6

Now look at Picture 2. Write three sentences on how we harm the trees.
Solution: Unfortunately, human activities can often be detrimental to trees and the environment. Picture 2 illustrates some ways in which we harm trees:
  1. One significant way we harm trees is by cutting them down, often for fuel (burning) or timber, which destroys their habitat and reduces oxygen production.
  2. We also harm trees indirectly through pollution, such as the smoke and waste generated by industries, which can damage their health and surrounding ecosystem.
  3. Furthermore, sometimes we exploit trees excessively, for instance, by plucking too many leaves to feed domestic animals, which can weaken the tree and hinder its growth.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing the type of tree an acorn grows into.
  • Forgetting the basic needs of a seed for growth.
  • Difficulty in identifying descriptive words (adjectives) in the poem.
  • Not clearly articulating the differences between the two pictures depicting tree treatment.

Revision tips

  • Read the poem 'Little by Little' aloud to understand its rhythm and meaning.
  • Focus on the vocabulary used, especially the descriptive words.
  • Draw or visualize the two contrasting pictures to better remember the points.
  • Discuss with friends or family the benefits of trees and how we can protect them.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What does a tiny acorn eventually grow into?

Q2. Which of these is NOT mentioned as a necessity for a seed to grow?

Q3. Which word describes how the seed grows, according to the poem?

Q4. In Picture 1, how are the trees depicted?

Q5. What is one way humans harm trees, as mentioned in the solutions?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of Chapter 13, 'Little by Little'?

The main theme of Chapter 13, 'Little by Little', is the gradual growth of a seed into a tree and the significant benefits that trees provide to us, contrasted with the ways humans can harm them.

What do seeds need to grow, according to the NCERT Solutions?

According to the NCERT Solutions, a seed needs air, water, and soil to grow into a plant or tree.

Can you list some benefits of trees mentioned in the solutions?

Yes, the solutions mention that trees provide us with fruits, vegetables, fresh oxygen, wood for shelter, and medicines.

How do these NCERT Solutions help Class 3 students?

These solutions help Class 3 students understand the poem 'Little by Little' better by providing clear, rewritten answers to all questions, explaining concepts, and reinforcing the importance of trees.

What does the poem suggest about the speed of a tree's growth?

The poem 'Little by Little' suggests that a tree grows very gradually and slowly over time, not all at once.

Important links

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