CBSE Class 5 English Chapter 3: My Shadow - NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 5 PDF

CBSE Class 5 English, Chapter 3, 'My Shadow', offers a delightful exploration of our constant companion – our shadow. This chapter helps young learners understand the nature of shadows, how they mimic our movements, and their relationship with light. The NCERT Solutions provide clear explanations and answers to questions about the poem, clarifying who the speaker is and who their shadow refers to. Students will learn about the similarities and differences between themselves and their shadows. The solutions also include engaging exercises that reinforce grammar concepts, such as using relative pronouns correctly, and encourage creative writing through activities like describing a pet. These resources are crafted to deepen comprehension of the chapter's themes and enhance language skills, ensuring students are well-prepared.

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Board	CBSE
Class	Class 5
Subject	English
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	03 My Shadow - Robinson Crusoe Discovers a Footprint

Chapter summary

Chapter 3, 'My Shadow', focuses on understanding the concept of shadows through a poem and related activities. The NCERT Solutions cover comprehension questions about the poem, identifying body parts used in actions, and grammar exercises involving relative pronouns. It also includes a creative writing prompt to describe a pet. The solutions aim to enhance reading comprehension, vocabulary, and writing skills for Class 5 English students.

Learning outcomes

Understand the concept of a shadow and its characteristics.
Identify the parts of the body used for various actions.
Comprehend the poem 'My Shadow' and its characters.
Correctly use relative pronouns (who, whose, which, that, whom) in sentences.
Develop descriptive writing skills by creating a short paragraph about a pet.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Understanding Shadows
Poem Comprehension
Body Parts and Actions
Relative Pronouns
Descriptive Writing
Grammar Exercises
Vocabulary Building

Important topics

Poem 'My Shadow' Analysis
Usage of Relative Pronouns
Describing Actions and Body Parts
Creative Writing Practice

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Questions and Solutions

Let's Read - Question 1

Who do you think your shadow looks like?

Solution: Based on the nature of shadows, it is generally understood that a shadow resembles the object casting it. Therefore, one's shadow looks like oneself.

Let's Read - Question 2

Why do you think your shadow jumps into bed before you can?

Solution: The shadow appears to jump into bed first because as you approach your bed, your shadow, which is cast by light behind you, falls onto the bed before you physically get into it. It's an observation about how shadows are formed and perceived.

Let's Read - Question 3

What time of the day do you think it is when your shadow is the tallest? Why? Choose from: Morning, Afternoon, Night.

Solution: Your shadow is typically the tallest in the morning (or late afternoon). This is because the sun is lower in the sky during these times, casting longer shadows. In the afternoon, when the sun is high, shadows are shortest.

Read the lines from the poem and answer the following - Question 4 (i)

Read the lines from the poem and answer the following: He is very very like me. From the heels up to the head! (i) Who does 'he' refer to?

Solution: In the given lines, 'he' refers to the speaker's shadow.

Read the lines from the poem and answer the following - Question 4 (ii)

Read the lines from the poem and answer the following: He is very very like me. From the heels up to the head! (ii) Who does 'me' refer to?

Solution: In the given lines, 'me' refers to the child who is speaking or narrating in the poem.

Read the lines from the poem and answer the following - Question 4 (iii)

Read the lines from the poem and answer the following: He is very very like me. From the heels up to the head! (iii) Why are 'he' and 'me' alike?

Solution: 'He' (the shadow) and 'me' (the child) are alike because the shadow is a reflection or copy of the child's form, mimicking their shape and movements from head to toe.

Let's Talk - Question 5

Work in pairs and discuss the following: What would you do if: a dog chases you? you have forgotten your homework copy at home? you are alone in a room and the lights go out?

Solution: Here are possible responses to the situations:

If a dog chases me, I would try to stay calm and perhaps stand still or slowly back away, rather than running, which might provoke it further. I would also look for a safe place to go.
If I have forgotten my homework copy at home, I would honestly explain the situation to my teacher and request permission to bring it the next day. I would accept responsibility for my mistake.
If I am alone in a room and the lights go out, I would try not to panic. I would feel for a light switch or a torch. If I couldn't find one immediately, I might light a candle if one is available and safe to use.

Fun Time - Question 6

Shine a torch behind your hand and see its shadow on the wall. Move the torch a little away from your hand and see the shadow on the wall. Do you find a difference in the size of the hand on the wall?

Solution: Yes, there is a difference in the size of the shadow. When the torch is moved a little away from the hand, the shadow cast on the wall becomes smaller. Conversely, if the torch is brought closer to the hand, the shadow would appear larger.

Working Together - Question 7

Do the actions as given below, and observe which part, or fingers, of 'your hand is being used. Actions: point at a door, bounce a ball, scratch your chin, twist your ear, comb your hair, draw with a pencil, touch a flower.

Solution: Here's a breakdown of the parts or fingers of the hand used for each action:

Point at a door: Forefinger (index finger)
Bounce a ball: Fingers and thumb (used for gripping and releasing)
Scratch your chin: Thumb and forefinger
Twist your ear: Thumb and forefinger
Comb your hair: Fingers and thumb (to hold the comb)
Draw with a pencil: Thumb, forefinger, and middle finger (for grip and control)
Touch a flower: Forefinger (or other fingers, gently)

Let's Write - Question 8 (i)

Fill in the blanks using one of the words given in brackets. (i) Where is the child ___ parents have come to school? (who/whose/which)

Solution: The correct word to fill the blank is whose. The sentence should read: "Where is the child whose parents have come to school?" 'Whose' is used to show possession or belonging.

Let's Write - Question 8 (ii)

Fill in the blanks using one of the words given in brackets. (ii) I saw many houses ___ were quite spacious. (which/whose/who)

Solution: The correct word to fill the blank is which. The sentence should read: "I saw many houses which were quite spacious." 'Which' is used here to refer to things (houses).

Let's Write - Question 8 (iii)

Fill in the blanks using one of the words given in brackets. (iii) Mathematics ___ is my favourite subject, is so interesting. (who/which/that)

Solution: The correct word to fill the blank is which. The sentence should read: "Mathematics, which is my favourite subject, is so interesting." 'Which' is used to introduce a non-restrictive clause about a subject (Mathematics).

Let's Write - Question 8 (iv)

Fill in the blanks using one of the words given in brackets. (iv) The poem ___ you read out, is so lovely. (whose/which/that)

Solution: The correct word to fill the blank is that. The sentence should read: "The poem that you read out, is so lovely." 'That' is used here to refer to a specific poem being discussed.

Let's Write - Question 8 (v)

Fill in the blanks using one of the words given in brackets. (v) I know the street ___ he lives on. (whose/that/which)

Solution: The correct word to fill the blank is that. The sentence should read: "I know the street that he lives on." 'That' is used here to refer to a specific street.

Let's Write - Question 8 (vi)

Fill in the blanks using one of the words given in brackets. (vi) I like reading books ___ have pictures in it. (that/who/which)

Solution: The correct word to fill the blank is which. The sentence should read: "I like reading books which have pictures in it." 'Which' is used here to refer to books (things).

Let's Write - Question 8 (vii)

Fill in the blanks using one of the words given in brackets. (vii) The old lady I met in your house is my neighbour. (whom/that/which)

Solution: The correct word to fill the blank is whom. The sentence should read: "The old lady whom I met in your house is my neighbour." 'Whom' is used as the object of the verb 'met' when referring to a person.

Let's Write - Question 9

Complete this description by answering the questions below. (i) What do you think is the name of the dog? (ii) Why is she called that? (iii) What colour is she? (iv) Do you think she is friendly? (v) What does she like to eat? Write a few lines on Mithoo and his little dog named Shadow.

Solution: Here is a possible description based on the questions:

I think the name of the dog is Shadow.
She is called Shadow because she follows Mithoo everywhere he goes, just like a shadow stays with a person.
She is of grey colour.
Yes, I think she is very friendly.
She likes to eat bones and bread.

About Mithoo and his dog Shadow: Mithoo has a little dog named Shadow. Shadow is a grey-coloured dog who is very friendly and loves to play. She is called Shadow because she is always by Mithoo's side, following him wherever he goes. Her favourite treats include bones and bread.

Common mistakes

Confusing relative pronouns like 'who' and 'whom', or 'which' and 'that'.
Misinterpreting the relationship between the speaker and their shadow in the poem.
Difficulty in accurately describing actions and the body parts involved.

Revision tips

Reread the poem 'My Shadow' to fully grasp the imagery and meaning.
Practice using relative pronouns in different sentence structures.
Pay attention to the details in the 'Working Together' section to identify body parts.
Try writing descriptions of other objects or pets to enhance writing skills.

Practice MCQs

Q1. According to the poem, who is very, very like the speaker?

Q2. When does a shadow usually appear tallest?

Q3. In the sentence 'I saw many houses ___ were quite spacious,' which word correctly fills the blank?

Q4. Which part of the hand is primarily used to 'point at a door'?

Q5. Why might a dog be named 'Shadow'?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of the chapter 'My Shadow'?

The main theme of the chapter 'My Shadow' is the exploration of a child's shadow, its characteristics, and its constant companionship, as depicted in the poem.

Which grammar topic is covered in this chapter's solutions?

The solutions cover the usage of relative pronouns such as who, whose, which, that, and whom in sentence construction.

How do the solutions help in understanding the poem 'My Shadow'?

The solutions provide clear answers to comprehension questions about the poem, explaining who 'he' and 'me' refer to and why they are alike.

What practical activity is included in the 'Fun Time' section?

The 'Fun Time' section involves shining a torch behind a hand to observe its shadow on a wall and noting how the shadow's size changes when the torch is moved.

Besides the poem, what other skills are addressed in these NCERT Solutions?

These solutions also address skills like identifying body parts used for specific actions and practicing descriptive writing, such as writing about a pet.

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