NCERT Class 5 English Marigold: Chapter 5 — Rip Van Winkle
This NCERT Class 5 English Marigold Chapter 5, 'Rip Van Winkle,' introduces a good-natured but lazy man named Rip. Living in a village at the foothills of the Kaatskill mountains, Rip was loved by everyone, especially the children, for his playful nature and storytelling. However, his laziness led him to neglect his farm and chores. To escape work, he often wandered into the forest with his dog, Wolf. One day, he climbed high into the mountains and fell asleep, only to awaken twenty years later to a world that had significantly changed. The chapter sets the stage for Rip's discovery of the altered landscape and his own altered circumstances.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 5 |
| Subject | English |
| Book | Marigold |
| Chapter | Chapter 5 — Rip Van Winkle |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 245 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the character of Rip Van Winkle and his traits.
- Identify the setting of the story and its significance.
- Recognize the consequences of laziness.
- Appreciate the narrative structure of a classic folktale.
- Develop reading comprehension skills for descriptive passages.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| good-natured | kind and friendly |
| lazy | unwilling to work or use energy |
| idled | spent time doing nothing |
| astray | away from the correct path or direction |
| weeds | unwanted plants growing in a garden or field |
| companion | a person or animal with whom one spends a lot of time |
| foothills | the low hills at the foot of a mountain |
| daydreaming | indulging in pleasant thoughts that distract one from the present |
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Practice questions
- Who was Rip Van Winkle? Answer: Rip Van Winkle was a simple, good-natured but lazy man who lived in a village at the foothills of the Kaatskill mountains.
- What was the main problem with Rip Van Winkle? Answer: The main problem with Rip was that he was very lazy and did no work on his own farm.
- Who was Rip's constant companion? Answer: Rip's constant companion was his dog, named Wolf.
- Where did Rip go to avoid work? Answer: To avoid work, Rip would walk away into the forest with his dog.
- What happened when Rip reached the highest part of the mountains? Answer: When Rip reached the highest part of the mountains, he lay down and began daydreaming, eventually falling asleep.
Frequently asked questions
What is the story 'Rip Van Winkle' about?
The story is about a lazy man named Rip Van Winkle who falls asleep in the mountains for twenty years and wakes up to find everything changed.
Where did Rip Van Winkle live?
Rip Van Winkle lived in a little village at the foothills of the Kaatskill mountains.
Why did Rip Van Winkle go into the forest?
Rip went into the forest with his dog, Wolf, to avoid doing work on his farm.
How long did Rip Van Winkle sleep?
Rip Van Winkle slept for twenty years.
What was Rip's relationship with the children in the village?
Rip was liked by the children because he played with them, taught them games, and told them stories.
What is the main lesson from Rip's character?
Rip's character highlights the negative consequences of laziness and neglecting responsibilities.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 5 English — Marigold — Chapter 5 — Rip Van Winkle. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.