CBSE Class 3 English Unit 8: What's in the Mailbox? & My Silly Sister - NCERT Solutions

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 3 PDF

This set of NCERT Solutions for CBSE Class 3 English, Unit 8, covers two engaging units: 'What's in the Mailbox?' and 'My Silly Sister'. The solutions provide clear answers to questions related to understanding letters, writing to friends, and the amusing antics of a baby sister. Students will learn about the postal system, the joy of writing and receiving letters, and observe the world from a baby's perspective. These solutions are designed to enhance reading comprehension, writing skills, and vocabulary, making them an excellent resource for exam preparation and a fun way to engage with the English language.

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Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 3
SubjectEnglish
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterUnit-8

Chapter summary

This chapter's NCERT Solutions for Class 3 English focuses on two distinct parts. 'What's in the Mailbox?' explores themes of letters, communication, and the anticipation of receiving mail. 'My Silly Sister' delves into the humorous and innocent actions of a baby, encouraging observation and understanding of a child's behavior. The solutions offer answers to reading comprehension questions, writing prompts, and vocabulary exercises, aiding students in grasping the core concepts and improving their language skills.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the process of sending and receiving letters.
  • Practice writing a letter to a friend.
  • Identify and describe the actions of a baby.
  • Develop reading comprehension skills for narrative texts.
  • Learn new vocabulary related to communication and family.
  • Appreciate the humor in everyday situations involving young children.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Letters and Mail
  • Writing to Friends
  • School Description
  • Baby's Actions
  • Understanding Innocence
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Vocabulary Building
  • Letter Writing Format

Important topics

  • Writing a letter to a friend
  • Understanding the baby's perspective
  • Identifying actions in stories
  • Reading comprehension of narrative texts

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Questions and Solutions

Reading is Fun - Question 1

Who does the postman bring letters for?
Solution: The postman brings letters for the child's mother or father. He delivers mail addressed to the adults in the household.

Reading is Fun - Question 2

Does the child ever get a letter?
Solution: No, the child never gets any letter. The poem focuses on the letters arriving for the parents, not for the child.

Reading is Fun - Question 3

What does the child decide to do?
Solution: Since the child does not receive any letters, they decide to take matters into their own hands and write letters to their friends.

Talk Time - Question 1

Have you written letters?
Solution: Yes, I have written letters. Writing letters is a way to communicate with people who are far away.

Talk Time - Question 2

Who have you written to?
Solution: I have written letters to my uncle and cousins. It's nice to share news and thoughts with family members through letters.

Talk Time - Question 3

Who would you like to write to today? Why?
Solution: Today, I would like to write to one of my friends, perhaps named Abhay, because it might be his birthday. Writing a birthday letter is a special way to show you care.

Let's Write - Question 1

Now write a letter to your friend, telling her about your school. You can use some of these words: ncert-solutions-class-3-english-unit-8-1
Solution:

Flat No. 3A, Sector 2,

Vaishali, Ghaziabad,

Uttar Pradesh-201010

10 February, 2012

Dear Sunanda,

I am excited to tell you about my school. The name of my school is D.A.V. Public School. It has a very big building with many classrooms. Around one thousand children study here. Each classroom is equipped with a big blackboard where the teachers write lessons. The peon helps by ringing the bell to signal class changes. My school is quite popular in our area.

With love,

Yours-lovingly,

Shobha

Reading is Fun - Question 1

What does the baby do with the pebbles?
Solution: The baby treats the pebbles as if they were real food. She tries to put them into her mouth, not understanding that they are not edible.

Reading is Fun - Question 2

What does the baby do with the book?
Solution: The baby tears the pages of the book. This is a common behavior for very young children who are exploring objects with their hands.

Reading is Fun - Question 3

When does the baby laugh?
Solution: The baby laughs when her brother scolds her or shakes his head at her in anger. She finds his reactions amusing rather than upsetting.

Reading is Fun - Question 4

Why does the washerman bring donkeys?
Solution: The washerman brings donkeys to help him carry the dirty clothes. The donkeys are used to transport the laundry to and from the washing place.

Talk Time - Question 1

What is the funniest thing the baby does?
Solution: The funniest thing the baby does is laugh when her brother scolds her or expresses anger towards her. Instead of being upset, she finds his reaction amusing.

Talk Time - Question 2

Do you think the baby sister is really silly? Why?
Solution: No, the baby sister is not really silly. She is very young and does not yet understand the difference between right and wrong or the proper use of objects. Her actions are a result of her age and curiosity.

Word Building - Question 1

Fill in the blanks to spell words from the story.
Solution: This section requires filling in blanks to spell words from the story. For example, if a word was 'pebbles', the blanks might be p _ _ b b l _ s. Students should refer to the story 'My Silly Sister' to find the correct words and complete the spelling.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing the recipient of letters in 'What's in the Mailbox?'.
  • Difficulty in structuring a simple letter.
  • Misinterpreting the baby's actions as genuinely 'silly' rather than innocent.
  • Not fully describing the baby's actions in 'My Silly Sister'.

Revision tips

  • Read both stories aloud to understand the flow and characters.
  • Practice writing a letter to a friend or family member, applying the format learned.
  • Discuss the baby's actions in 'My Silly Sister' with a parent or teacher to understand her perspective.
  • Review the vocabulary used in both units to expand your word bank.

Practice MCQs

Q1. According to the poem 'What's in the Mailbox?', who does the postman bring letters for?

Q2. What does the child in 'What's in the Mailbox?' decide to do when they don't receive a letter?

Q3. In 'My Silly Sister', what does the baby try to do with the pebbles?

Q4. What action of the baby in 'My Silly Sister' makes her brother laugh?

Q5. Why is the baby sister not considered truly 'silly' in the story?

Frequently asked questions

What is Unit 8 of CBSE Class 3 English about?

Unit 8 of CBSE Class 3 English includes two parts: 'What's in the Mailbox?', which discusses letters and mail, and 'My Silly Sister', which describes the amusing actions of a baby.

How do these NCERT Solutions help Class 3 students?

These solutions provide clear answers to textbook questions, helping students understand the stories, practice writing, and improve their English comprehension and vocabulary for exams.

What is the main theme of 'What's in the Mailbox?'

The main theme is the anticipation and joy associated with receiving letters, and the child's decision to write letters to friends.

Why is the baby called 'silly' in the second part of the unit?

The baby is called 'silly' because of her innocent and amusing actions, like trying to eat pebbles or laughing when scolded, which are typical of very young children.

Can I learn how to write a letter using these solutions?

Yes, the solutions include a section on writing a letter to a friend about your school, providing a practical example.

Important links

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