NCERT Class 4 English Santoor: Chapter 4 — One Thing at a Time
This chapter, 'One Thing at a Time' from the NCERT Class 4 English Santoor textbook, emphasizes the importance of focus and dedication in completing tasks. The poem advises readers to 'work while you work, and play while you play,' highlighting that tasks done with full effort are completed correctly. It suggests that focusing on one task at a time and doing it well is a valuable rule for success and happiness. The chapter encourages students to avoid wasting time and to approach their work with all their might. It concludes by reinforcing the idea that dedicating oneself fully to each activity leads to better outcomes and a more fulfilling experience, crucial for effective learning in CBSE.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 4 |
| Subject | English |
| Book | Santoor |
| Chapter | Chapter 4 — One Thing at a Time |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 1 minute |
| Word count | 192 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the importance of focusing on one task at a time.
- Recognize the value of completing tasks with full effort.
- Identify rhyming words in a poem.
- Develop a better approach to work and play for happiness and efficiency.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| might | strength or power |
| useful | helpful or beneficial |
| moments | short periods of time |
| halves | parts of something that is divided into two equal pieces |
| trifled | treated without seriousness; wasted |
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Practice questions
- What is the main message of the poem 'One Thing at a Time'? Answer: The main message is to focus on doing one thing at a time and to do it well with full effort.
- Which words rhyme in the poem? Answer: work/play, happy/way, might/right, well/tell, away/play
- According to the poem, what happens to things done by halves? Answer: Things done by halves are never done right.
- What does the poem suggest about how to be useful and happy? Answer: It suggests working while you work and playing while you play.
Frequently asked questions
What is the title of Chapter 4 in NCERT Class 4 English Santoor?
The title of Chapter 4 is 'One Thing at a Time'.
What is the main advice given in the poem 'One Thing at a Time'?
The poem advises to focus on one task at a time and complete it with full effort to be useful and happy.
Which words from the poem mean 'strength or power' and 'helpful or beneficial'?
'Might' means strength or power, and 'useful' means helpful or beneficial.
Why is it important to do things with all your might?
According to the poem, things done by halves are never done right, implying that full effort leads to proper completion.
What does the poem say about moments?
The poem states that moments should never be trifled away, meaning they should not be wasted.
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NCERT Class 4 English — Santoor — Chapter 4 — One Thing at a Time. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.