CBSE Class 6 English NCERT Solutions: Chapter 9 - What Happened to The Reptiles?
This section provides detailed NCERT Solutions for Class 6 English, Chapter 9, titled 'What Happened to The Reptiles?'. It covers questions related to the peaceful coexistence in Pambupatti, Prem's reasons for not returning to his violent village, Makara's dislikes for reptiles, and the ecological consequences of the reptiles leaving the forest. The solutions explain the importance of each creature in maintaining the balance of nature. These solutions are designed to help students understand the narrative, character motivations, and the underlying environmental themes, aiding in their exam preparation and comprehension of the chapter's moral and ecological lessons.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 6 |
| Subject | English |
| Session | 2026 |
| Language | English |
| Type | NCERT Solutions |
| Chapter | Chapter 9 |
Chapter summary
Chapter 9, 'What Happened to The Reptiles?', focuses on themes of peace, intolerance, and ecological balance. The NCERT Solutions provided here address questions about the unique harmony in Pambupatti, the impact of violence on individuals like Prem, and the crucial roles played by tortoises, snakes, and lizards in their ecosystem. Students will learn about the consequences of removing species from their natural habitats and the importance of respecting all living beings.
Learning outcomes
- Understand the concept of peace and harmony in a community.
- Analyze character motivations, such as Prem's determination.
- Identify the reasons behind Makara's dislikes.
- Explain the ecological roles of tortoises, snakes, and lizards.
- Recognize the consequences of disrupting the natural balance.
Topics covered
Paper topics
- Peace and harmony in communities
- Consequences of religious intolerance
- Character analysis (Prem)
- Animal dislikes and prejudices (Makara)
- Ecological balance
- Roles of tortoises in an ecosystem
- Roles of snakes in an ecosystem
- Roles of lizards in an ecosystem
- Impact of species removal from habitats
Important topics
- Pambupatti's unique peace
- Prem's reasons for not returning
- Ecological roles of reptiles
- Consequences of disrupting nature's balance
PDF preview
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Questions and Solutions
Q. 1
Q. 2
Q. 3
- Tortoises: He considered them to be unintelligent and sluggish creatures. Furthermore, he found their habit of carrying their shells, which served as their homes, to be peculiar and disliked it.
- Snakes: Makara was repulsed by snakes, finding them to be excessively slimy and generally weird in appearance and nature.
- Lizards: He disliked lizards because of their unusual and strange behaviors, which he found off-putting.
Q. 4
- Tortoises: Without the tortoises, the jungle began to deteriorate. Their role was to consume decaying organic matter, including rotting fruits and dead animals in the river, thus keeping the environment clean. Their absence led to a buildup of rot.
- Snakes: When the snakes, natural predators of rats, left, the rat population increased dramatically, becoming a significant nuisance throughout the forest.
- Lizards: The disappearance of lizards meant that insects were no longer kept in check. This led to an uncontrolled proliferation of insects, which grew in numbers and became increasingly large and bothersome, posing a serious problem for the entire forest.
Common mistakes
- Confusing the unique peace of Pambupatti with general village life.
- Underestimating the importance of seemingly disliked creatures in an ecosystem.
- Failing to connect individual actions (like Prem's) to broader societal issues.
Revision tips
- Reread the chapter focusing on the descriptions of Pambupatti's peace.
- Create a table listing Makara's dislikes and the reasons given.
- Summarize the ecological impact of each reptile's departure in your own words.
- Discuss with classmates why Prem felt ashamed and determined.
Practice MCQs
Q1. What made Pambupatti different from other villages?
Explanation: The solution highlights that Pambupatti's uniqueness lay in its inhabitants' peaceful coexistence and mutual care, contrasting with unrest elsewhere.
Q2. Why was Prem determined not to return to his village?
Explanation: Prem's determination stemmed from the traumatic memories of violence and religious conflict he witnessed in his village, making him feel ashamed.
Q3. According to Makara, why were tortoises disliked?
Explanation: Makara disliked tortoises because he viewed them as unintelligent and slow, and he found their habit of carrying their homes on their backs objectionable.
Q4. What was the consequence of snakes leaving the forest?
Explanation: When the snakes, which prey on rats, departed, the rat population exploded, becoming a major problem for the forest.
Q5. What role did tortoises play in the forest's ecosystem?
Explanation: The solution explains that tortoises were essential for the jungle's health as they consumed decaying matter, preventing the spread of rot.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main theme of Chapter 9, 'What Happened to The Reptiles?'
The main themes are the importance of peace and harmony in society, the negative consequences of intolerance and violence, and the critical role of all creatures in maintaining ecological balance.
How do the NCERT Solutions for this chapter help students?
These solutions provide clear, rewritten answers to each question, helping students understand the chapter's plot, character motivations, and the underlying message about respecting nature and living peacefully.
Why is Pambupatti described as different?
Pambupatti is different because its people lived in peace, without fighting over religion or language, and actively cared for one another, unlike other places experiencing unrest.
What lessons can be learned from Prem's decision?
Prem's decision highlights the deep impact of violence and intolerance on individuals and the shame associated with such actions, emphasizing the desire for a peaceful and humane society.
What happens when reptiles are removed from the forest, according to the chapter?
When reptiles leave, the ecosystem suffers. Tortoises' absence leads to rotting, snakes' absence causes rat overpopulation, and lizards' absence results in an uncontrolled increase in insects.
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