CBSE Class 6 English A Pact With The Sun Chapter 4 The Old-Clock Shop NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 6 PDF

This chapter, 'The Old-Clock Shop,' from CBSE Class 6 English 'A Pact With The Sun' series, delves into a compelling narrative about Ray, a deaf and dumb clock shop owner. The NCERT Solutions provided here offer detailed explanations for each question, helping students understand the story's nuances. We explore Ray's perceptive abilities, the suspicious intentions of his visitors, and his unique way of communicating and helping those in need. The solutions clarify the significance of an old watch, its 'great powers' in a time of crisis, and the transformation of an unfriendly face into one of gratitude. These solutions are designed to aid students in comprehending the story's moral undertones and preparing effectively for their exams by providing clear, step-by-step answers and insightful interpretations of the text.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 6
Subject	A Pact With The Sun
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	4. The Old- Clock Shop

Chapter summary

Chapter 4, 'The Old-Clock Shop,' of the NCERT 'A Pact With The Sun' series for Class 6 English focuses on a narrative that highlights perception, kindness, and desperation. The solutions cover questions about the protagonist Ray's ability to sense danger, the motives of suspicious visitors, and Ray's compassionate approach to lending money. It also explores the symbolic meaning of an old watch and the impact of Ray's generosity on a potential thief, ultimately transforming an unfriendly encounter into one of mutual respect and gratitude. These solutions help students analyze character interactions and thematic elements within the story.

Learning outcomes

Understand Ray's unique way of perceiving people despite being deaf and dumb.
Analyze the motives and intentions of the visitors to the clock shop.
Explain Ray's method of communication and his compassionate business practices.
Interpret the symbolic meaning of the old watch and its 'great powers'.
Evaluate the impact of kindness and generosity on human behavior.
Identify the turning point where an unfriendly face becomes truly friendly.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Understanding Ray's perception
Analyzing visitor's intentions
Communication methods for the deaf and dumb
Ray's business ethics
The significance of the old watch
Themes of kindness and desperation
Transformation of character
Moral lessons from the story

Important topics

Ray's unique perception and communication
The role and symbolism of the old watch
The theme of kindness overcoming desperation
Analyzing the visitor's change of heart

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

What made Ray think the visitor was not really a shopper?

Solution: Ray, who was deaf and dumb, relied heavily on his visual perception to understand people. On that particular late hour, the two men who entered his shop did not exhibit friendly behavior. Ray felt a sense of suspicion about their presence. He observed that one man was young, in his twenties, while the other was older, nearing fifty. The younger man stayed near the entrance, and the older man approached the counter with an expression that lacked any warmth or friendliness. Furthermore, Ray noticed the distinct shape of a gun and the restless movement of a hand within the older man's coat pocket, which heightened his suspicions.

Question 2

Why do you think he had come to the shop?

Solution: It is unlikely that the visitor had come to the shop with the intention of purchasing anything. Given Ray's observations – the late hour, the suspicious demeanor, and the presence of a weapon – it is probable that the two men intended to rob the shop owner. They might have perceived Ray as being 'down on his luck' and in desperate need of money, making him an easy target for a robbery.

Question 3

How did Ray communicate with him?

Solution: Ray, being deaf and unable to speak, used a notepad to communicate. He wrote the question, "May I help you," on the notepad and offered it to the visitor. He also accompanied this with a smile, despite the visitor's unfriendly face. To further clarify his condition, Ray pointed to his ears and shook his head side to side, clearly indicating to the visitor that he was deaf and could not hear.

Question 4

What do you think the man said to his friend who waited at the door?

Solution: Considering Ray's condition, the man likely communicated to his friend at the door that Ray was deaf. This information would have been crucial, possibly reassuring his friend that there was no need to worry about Ray hearing them or raising an alarm. It might have led them to believe their plan could proceed without immediate detection.

Question 5

Ray was not a pawnbroker. Why then did he lend money to people in exchange for their old watches and clocks?

Solution: Ray was not a pawnbroker, which means he did not lend money with the expectation of earning interest or holding items as collateral in the typical sense. He chose to lend money in exchange for old watches and clocks because he understood that the people coming to him were in dire need of financial assistance. Ray's practice was to hold onto the watches until the owners were able to reclaim them, returning them at the exact price he had initially paid, without charging any interest. This demonstrated his compassionate nature and willingness to help others in difficult circumstances.

Question 6

"The watch was nothing special and yet had great powers." In what sense did it have 'great powers'?

Solution: The statement implies that the watch, while not particularly valuable or unique in itself, possessed significant 'powers' due to the circumstances. Its primary power was its ability to be exchanged for money, providing a crucial lifeline to the older man who desperately needed funds. This exchange allowed him to avoid resorting to a potentially criminal act, like robbing Ray. Furthermore, on Christmas Eve, this simple transaction had the power to prevent two individuals from committing an act they might later deeply regret, highlighting the watch's role in facilitating a moral choice and averting a negative outcome.

Question 7

Do you think the man would ever come back to pick up the watch?

Solution: It is highly unlikely that the man would return to pick up the watch, especially since Ray paid him significantly more than its actual worth. However, the story suggests a moment of genuine connection and gratitude. When Ray looked into the man's eyes, he perceived appreciation and a silent 'thank you.' This positive interaction, coupled with the note left by the man expressing his intention to return for the watch when possible and wishing Ray a Merry Christmas, indicates a complex mix of relief, gratitude, and perhaps a lingering sense of obligation, even if the practical likelihood of him returning is low.

Question 8

When did "the unfriendly face" of the visitor turn truly friendly?

Solution: The visitor's unfriendly expression transformed into a truly friendly one primarily when Ray generously gave him money in exchange for his watch. The watch was not worth the fifty dollars Ray offered, yet Ray provided the money. This act of unexpected kindness and generosity not only met the man's immediate financial need but also prevented him from committing a crime he would likely have regretted. Witnessing Ray's compassion and receiving help without harm likely caused this significant shift in his demeanor.

Common mistakes

Misinterpreting Ray's inability to hear as a complete lack of awareness.
Underestimating the significance of non-verbal cues in communication.
Failing to grasp the underlying theme of redemption and kindness.
Confusing Ray's business practice with that of a traditional pawnbroker.

Revision tips

Reread the story focusing on Ray's observations and feelings.
Discuss with peers the motivations of the visitors and Ray's actions.
Pay close attention to the description of the old watch and its role.
Consider the moral lessons about kindness and judging others.
Practice answering the questions in your own words, focusing on clarity.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What made Ray suspect the visitors were not genuine shoppers?

Q2. How did Ray, who was deaf and dumb, communicate with the visitor?

Q3. What was Ray's primary intention when he exchanged money for old watches?

Q4. In what sense did the old watch possess 'great powers'?

Q5. When did the visitor's 'unfriendly face' turn truly friendly?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of 'The Old-Clock Shop' chapter?

The main themes are kindness, compassion, and the power of generosity to transform negative situations and people. It also explores perception and understanding beyond physical limitations.

How did Ray communicate effectively despite being deaf and dumb?

Ray used a notepad to write messages and relied on his keen observation skills and gestures to convey information and understand others.

Why did Ray help the visitor when he seemed suspicious?

Ray, despite sensing suspicion, chose to help the visitor by offering money for his watch, demonstrating his inherent kindness and desire to assist those in need, even at personal risk.

What made the old watch 'special' in the story?

The watch was special not for its intrinsic value, but because it served as a means for the visitor to obtain money without resorting to crime, thus preventing him from doing something he would regret.

How can these NCERT Solutions help Class 6 students?

These solutions provide clear, step-by-step answers that help students understand the story's plot, characters' motivations, and underlying messages, aiding in exam preparation and comprehension.

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