CBSE Class 6 English NCERT Solutions: A Strange Wrestling Match (Chapter 10)

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 6 PDF

This chapter, 'A Strange Wrestling Match,' from the CBSE Class 6 English textbook 'A Pact With The Sun,' narrates a humorous encounter between a boastful young man named Vijay Singh and a ghost. The story unfolds as Vijay, initially overconfident, finds himself challenged by a wrestler named Natwar, who is actually a ghost. The NCERT Solutions for this chapter explore Vijay's character, his fear of the supernatural, and the clever strategies he employs to outwit the ghost. Students will learn about the deceptive appearances that drive the plot and the eccentric gift Vijay receives. These solutions offer comprehensive explanations and answers, aiding students in understanding the narrative, analyzing character development, and appreciating the themes of courage and wit. They serve as a valuable tool for exam preparation, ensuring a clear grasp of the story's events and Vijay's resourcefulness.

Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 6
SubjectA Pact With The Sun
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
Chapter10. A Strange Wrestling Match

Chapter summary

Chapter 10, 'A Strange Wrestling Match,' of the CBSE Class 6 'A Pact With The Sun' textbook focuses on a narrative that highlights bravery, wit, and the art of deception. The NCERT Solutions for this chapter address Vijay Singh's boastful personality, his accidental encounter with a ghost, and his ingenious methods of overcoming his fear and outsmarting the supernatural. The exercises cover character analysis, plot comprehension, and understanding the story's moral, making it a valuable study aid for students.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand Vijay Singh's boastful nature and its consequences.
  • Analyze the role of the old woman's eccentric gift.
  • Explain how Vijay Singh used wit to overcome fear.
  • Identify instances of deceptive appearances in the story.
  • Comprehend the theme of courage versus fear.
  • Analyze character interactions and motivations.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Boastfulness and its consequences
  • Courage and fear
  • Deceptive appearances
  • Wit and cleverness
  • Character analysis of Vijay Singh
  • Understanding narrative elements
  • Story comprehension
  • Moral of the story

Important topics

  • Vijay Singh's boastful nature
  • The use of the egg and salt
  • The meaning of 'Appearances can be deceptive'
  • Outsmarting the ghost
  • Character development

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Questions and Solutions

Page No: 46

1. What was Vijay Singh's weakness? Which awkward situation did it push him into?

What was Vijay Singh's weakness? Which awkward situation did it push him into?
Solution: Vijay Singh's primary weakness was his tendency to boast excessively about his bravery. This boastfulness led him into a very awkward and frightening situation. One day, he boasted that he was not afraid of ghosts and even wished to encounter a formidable ghost to teach it a lesson. Consequently, he was challenged to walk alone through the Haunted Desert at night, a place known for roaming ghosts, strange noises, and where travellers were often looted and killed. This put him in a predicament where his boast had to be put to the test, despite his underlying fear.

2. Was the old woman's gift to Vijay Singh eccentric? Why?

Was the old woman's gift to Vijay Singh eccentric? Why?
Solution: Yes, the old woman's gift to Vijay Singh was indeed eccentric. As Vijay was heading towards the dreaded Haunted Desert to confront ghosts, she handed him a small packet. Inside this packet, there was nothing more than a lump of salt and an egg. Such an unusual and seemingly insignificant gift, given the dangerous circumstances, makes it eccentric.

3. Why did Vijay Singh ask the ghost disguised as Natwar to come closer?

Why did Vijay Singh ask the ghost disguised as Natwar to come closer?
Solution: When Vijay Singh was in the dark desert, someone disguised as Natwar called out to him and attempted to guide him. Vijay Singh, wanting to appear brave and perhaps to assess his opponent, called back and asked the figure to come closer. He claimed he couldn't see well in the dark and needed guidance. However, like a seasoned wrestler preparing for a match, he also wanted to gauge the strength and presence of the entity he was facing.

4. What made the ghost speechless? Why?

What made the ghost speechless? Why?
Solution: The ghost was made speechless by Vijay Singh's reaction to him. Typically, people would be terrified upon seeing a ghost, often recoiling in horror or fainting. However, Vijay Singh, after peering into the ghost's face, called him a "plain lying ghost." This unexpected lack of fear and direct insult, coupled with Vijay's declaration that he was tired of wrestling humans and wanted to fight a ghost, completely stunned the disguised ghost.

5. Why did Vijay Singh say "Appearances can be deceptive"?

Why did Vijay Singh say "Appearances can be deceptive"?
Solution: Vijay Singh said, "Appearances can be deceptive" because the situation was not what it initially seemed. The ghost, who claimed to be Natwar, was actually a "plain lying ghost" using a disguise. Furthermore, Vijay himself was pretending to be a fearless and powerful wrestler, despite his fear. He even offered to demonstrate his strength to the ghost, further highlighting how appearances – both the ghost's and his own – were misleading.

Page No: 50

1. How did Vijay Singh use the egg? How did he use the lump of salt?

How did Vijay Singh use the egg? How did he use the lump of salt?
Solution: Vijay Singh cleverly used the egg and the lump of salt to trick the ghost.

Using the egg: He first gave the ghost a piece of rock to squeeze, which the ghost couldn't crush. Then, he secretly swapped the rock for the egg and squeezed it with both hands. The yellow yolk oozing out and the cracking sound of the shell created the illusion that he had crushed a rock. He quickly cleaned his hands and disposed of the shell unnoticed.

Using the lump of salt: Next, Vijay Singh picked up another stone and told the ghost it contained salt and would crumble. When the ghost protested, Vijay swapped the stone with the lump of salt and casually crumbled it in his hands, letting the 'stone' fall apart. This made the ghost doubt his own powers and become mesmerized by Vijay's apparent strength.

2. Why did Vijay Singh conclude that the ghost would not be a worthy opponent to him? Was he fair in his judgement?

Why did Vijay Singh conclude that the ghost would not be a worthy opponent to him? Was he fair in his judgement?
Solution: Vijay Singh concluded that the ghost would not be a worthy opponent because the ghost had become visibly unnerved and started doubting his own supernatural abilities after Vijay's tricks with the egg and the salt. Vijay felt there was no point in wrestling someone so easily intimidated and weak.

Whether his judgment was fair is debatable. While the ghost was clearly outsmarted and losing confidence, the ghost might have had other, more sinister plans. Vijay's judgment was based on the ghost's apparent loss of power in a wrestling context, but it didn't account for the ghost's potential to resort to other means to harm him, as hinted by the text stating the ghost "had other plans to kill Vijay." So, while clever, Vijay's assessment might have been incomplete regarding the ghost's true nature and intentions.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing Vijay Singh's boastfulness with genuine bravery.
  • Misinterpreting the ghost's intentions or disguise.
  • Underestimating the importance of the egg and salt in the story.
  • Failing to understand the meaning of 'Appearances can be deceptive'.

Revision tips

  • Reread the story focusing on Vijay Singh's actions and thoughts.
  • Pay close attention to how Vijay uses the egg and salt to trick the ghost.
  • Discuss the meaning of 'appearances can be deceptive' with friends.
  • Summarize the story in your own words, highlighting the climax.
  • Identify the moments when Vijay felt scared and how he overcame it.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What was Vijay Singh's primary weakness that led him into trouble?

Q2. What unusual items did the old woman give Vijay Singh?

Q3. Why did Vijay Singh ask the disguised ghost to come closer?

Q4. What did Vijay Singh call the ghost when he peered into his face?

Q5. How did Vijay Singh use the egg to fool the ghost?

Q6. What phrase did Vijay Singh use to comment on the situation with the ghost?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of the chapter 'A Strange Wrestling Match'?

The main themes are the consequences of boastfulness, the nature of courage, and how wit and cleverness can overcome fear and deception, as illustrated by Vijay Singh's encounter with a ghost.

Who is Vijay Singh and what is his main characteristic?

Vijay Singh is the protagonist of the story. His main characteristic is his tendency to boast about his bravery, which often leads him into difficult situations.

How did Vijay Singh use the egg and salt?

Vijay Singh used the egg to trick the ghost into believing he could crush rocks, and he used the lump of salt to demonstrate his supposed strength by crumbling it easily.

What does the phrase 'Appearances can be deceptive' mean in the context of the story?

It means that things are not always what they seem. The ghost appeared to be a strong wrestler named Natwar but was actually a deceitful ghost, and Vijay Singh appeared fearless but was actually scared.

Why is this chapter titled 'A Strange Wrestling Match'?

The title refers to the unusual 'wrestling match' Vijay Singh has with a ghost disguised as a wrestler. It's strange because Vijay uses his intelligence and trickery rather than physical strength to 'win'.

How do these NCERT Solutions help students?

These solutions provide clear, step-by-step answers to the chapter's questions, helping students understand the story's plot, characters, themes, and vocabulary, which aids in their exam preparation.

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