CBSE Class 5 English NCERT Solutions: Chapter 13 My Shadow

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 5 PDF

CBSE Class 5 English Chapter 13, 'My Shadow', introduces young learners to the intriguing world of shadows. These NCERT Solutions offer a clear and engaging exploration of the poem's themes, explaining the nature of shadows and their relationship with us. Students will discover why shadows follow their every move, when they seem to grow the tallest, and the unique connection between a person and their ever-present companion. The solutions are crafted to spark curiosity and deepen understanding of this everyday phenomenon. By providing insightful answers and explanations, they help students appreciate the poetic descriptions and confidently tackle questions, reinforcing their learning and exam preparation by clarifying the chapter's central concepts.

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Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 5
SubjectEnglish
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 13

Chapter summary

Chapter 13, 'My Shadow', focuses on understanding the characteristics of a shadow. The NCERT Solutions cover questions related to the appearance of one's shadow, the reasons behind its behavior (like jumping into bed), and the time of day when it is longest. It also includes an analysis of a poem about a shadow, helping students identify references and understand the comparison between the poet and their shadow. The exercises encourage discussion and personal reflection on hypothetical situations.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the concept of a shadow and its properties.
  • Explain why a shadow mimics a person's movements.
  • Identify the time of day when a shadow is longest.
  • Analyze poetic lines related to a shadow.
  • Discuss personal responses to hypothetical situations.
  • Relate the appearance of a shadow to the position of the sun.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Understanding Shadows
  • Shadows and Light
  • Shadows throughout the day
  • Poem Analysis: My Shadow
  • Figurative Language in Poetry
  • Personal Reflection
  • Hypothetical Situations
  • Comparing Self and Shadow

Important topics

  • Characteristics of a shadow
  • Poem interpretation
  • Shadow length and time of day
  • Poet-shadow relationship

PDF preview

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

Who do you think your shadow looks like?
Solution:

I believe my shadow looks exactly like me. It mirrors my shape and size, moving whenever I move.

Question 2

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

The shadow seems to jump into bed before me because it is not a physical entity that needs to get into bed. It appears instantly as I move towards the bed, giving the impression that it is always a step ahead.

Question 3

What time of the day do you think it is when your shadow is the tallest? Why?

Morning

Afternoon

Night

Solution:

Our shadow is the tallest in the morning. This happens because, during sunrise, the sun is low in the sky. Its rays come in at a slant, making our shadow stretch out and appear longer or taller.

Question 4

Read the lines from the poem and answer the following.

He is very like me. From the heels up to the head!

  1. Who does he refer to?
  2. Who does me refer to?
  3. Why are he and me alike?
Solution:
  1. In these lines, 'he' refers to the shadow that the poet observes.
  2. 'Me' refers to the poet themselves, who is speaking in the poem.
  3. He and me are alike because the shadow perfectly imitates the poet's appearance and posture, from their feet (heels) all the way up to their head.

Question 1 (Work in pairs)

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:

Disclaimer: These are sample answers. Students are advised to write the answers based on their own experiences and observations.

If a dog chases me, I would try not to run away, as running might make the dog chase me more. Instead, I would try to walk away slowly and calmly, or stand still, to show the dog I am not a threat.

If I have forgotten my homework copy at home, I would inform my teacher politely about the situation and ask if I could submit it the next day.

If I am alone in a room and the lights go out, I would try to stay calm. I would feel for a light switch or a torch nearby. If I couldn't find one, I would sit quietly and wait for the lights to come back on or for someone to help me.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing the shadow as a physical entity.
  • Incorrectly identifying the time when shadows are longest.
  • Misinterpreting poetic references.
  • Providing generic rather than personal responses to hypothetical scenarios.

Revision tips

  • Reread the poem 'My Shadow' to understand the imagery.
  • Visualize how shadows change throughout the day.
  • Practice answering the questions aloud to improve fluency.
  • Discuss the hypothetical situations with friends or family.
  • Focus on the relationship between the sun's position and shadow length.

Practice MCQs

Q1. According to the poem, who does 'he' refer to?

Q2. When is a shadow typically the tallest?

Q3. What does the shadow do before the person can jump into bed?

Q4. Why does the shadow look like the person?

Q5. Who does 'me' refer to in the line 'He is very like me'?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of Chapter 13, 'My Shadow'?

The main theme is understanding the nature and behavior of one's shadow, exploring how it mimics our movements and changes in appearance throughout the day, as depicted in a poem.

Why is the shadow sometimes taller than the person?

A shadow appears tallest when the light source (the sun) is low in the sky, such as during sunrise or sunset. The slanting rays of light cause the shadow to stretch out.

How do these NCERT Solutions help Class 5 students?

These solutions provide clear, rewritten answers to the chapter's questions, helping students understand the concepts related to shadows and the poem, thereby aiding in their studies and exam preparation.

What does the poem 'My Shadow' suggest about the shadow's behavior?

The poem suggests the shadow is very much like the speaker, following them everywhere and even appearing to jump into bed before the speaker can.

Are the answers in the solutions for hypothetical questions definitive?

No, for hypothetical questions, the provided answers are samples. Students are encouraged to think independently and provide answers based on their own experiences and reasoning.

Important links

Content reviewed by the NCERT Help team. Editorial Team and update policy

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