CBSE Class 6 English The Winner Worksheet Set 02

Fill in the Blanks

Question. _________ is a natural element mentioned in the poem’s setting.
Answer: A creek
Explanation: A creek is a small stream of water flowing outdoors near the open field where the children play.

Question. The speaker's feet _________ by the close of the game.
Answer: Ache
Explanation: Running bare or on chilly wet grass for a long time makes their feet feel cold and sore.

Question. _________ is the activity children are involved in.
Answer: Playing ball
Explanation: The children spend their afternoon having fun outdoors tossing and chasing a ball together.

Question. _________ is the time of the day the game takes place.
Answer: Evening
Explanation: The children go out to play as the sun goes down just before bedtime.

Question. The change of the colour of the sky shows that _________ .
Answer: play time is over
Explanation: When the sky turns dark, players cannot see well enough to keep playing their game.

Question. _________ wins at the conclusion of the game.
Answer: Night
Explanation: Nighttime causes the game to stop, so night is crowned the winner of the evening.

Question. The kids were playing _________ .
Answer: with a ball
Explanation: The children were running across the grassy field passing and kicking a ball.

True or False

Question. The speaker finds it hard to catch their breath because they run so slowly.
Answer: False
Explanation: The child loses their breath because they are sprinting as fast as they can, not slowly.

Question. The speaker is able to easily continue playing as it gets darker.
Answer: False
Explanation: It becomes too hard to see the ball and run safely once night covers the field.

Question. As the evening turns from blue to black, the chilly grass begins to hurt their feet.
Answer: True
Explanation: The freezing evening dew makes the children's feet feel cold and achy.

Question. The children are playing a peaceful game.
Answer: True
Explanation: The kids are playing happily together just for fun without any mean arguments.

Question. The poem describes the game ending when the trees move away and the night approaches.
Answer: False
Explanation: The trees seem to creep closer in the darkness rather than moving away.

Question. The speaker’s feet are comfortable and cozy during the game.
Answer: False
Explanation: Their feet start aching because the ground turns chilly and wet as night falls.

Question. The poem shows a transition from day to night as the game ends.
Answer: True
Explanation: The story moves from a blue twilight sky into total darkness as the game wraps up.

Questions / Short Question Answers

Question. What might “trees creep close” represent in the context of the poem?
Answer: “Trees creep close” might symbolize the encroaching darkness and the feeling of the natural world closing in as night falls, adding to the sense of the day ending and the need to stop playing.
Explanation: When the light fades, the dark shadows make it look like the trees are stepping closer to the children.

Question. What are the central ideas of Georgia Heard’s poem ‘The Winner’?
Answer: Georgia Heard explored the themes of nature, childhood experiences, the race against time, and the simplicity of life.
Explanation: The poem shows the joyful fun of playing outside as a child and how bedtime arrives when nature brings the night.

Question. What part does the "blue dark turning to black" play in the poem?
Answer: In the poem "The Winner," the phrase "When blue dark turns to black" symbolises the change from evening to night and marks the end of the children's playtime. As the sky shifts from twilight blue to deep black, it signals that daylight has faded and it is too dark to continue playing. This natural change acts as a clear boundary set by time, creating a mood of closure. It shows how the passage of time controls their activities and highlights the poem's theme that joyful moments are often brief.
Explanation: As the sky changes from evening blue to deep black, it tells the children that daylight is gone and play is over.

Question. How do the children feel while participating?
Answer: The children are running so fast that they can’t catch even their breath, indicating they are very active and enjoying the game intensely.
Explanation: The children are completely out of breath because they are running excitedly and having so much fun.

Question. How does the poem convey the theme of the brief nature of time?
Answer: "The Winner" conveys the fleeting nature of time by contrasting energetic play with clear signs of evening. The children's vigorous activity—expressed in "I can't even catch my breath"—represents lively, short-lived moments of joy. This energy is suddenly placed against natural changes: when "blue dark turns to black", the sky itself records how quickly daylight leaves. The image of "trees creep close" and the phrase "cold grass aches our feet" add both visual and physical cues that time and nature are closing in. Finally, the declaration "Night wins!" personifies night as the final force that ends play regardless of the children's wishes. The poem's movement from action to stillness mirrors how moments slip away despite our desire to hold them. By ending with night's victory, the poem gently reminds readers to savour brief pleasures, since time will always move them onward.
Explanation: Fun moments seem to pass by in the blink of an eye, and night quickly arrives to show that time keeps moving forward.

Question. Who won the match?
Answer: The night won the game against the poetess and her friends. The poetess and her friends eventually had to end their game.
Explanation: The night is the winner because darkness forces the children to pack up their ball and head home.

Question. Why do the children’s feet hurt?
Answer: The children’s feet ache because they have been running on the cold grass.
Explanation: Running without stopping on damp, cold grass in the evening makes their feet feel chilled and sore.

Question. Why do the children keep playing even after being out of breath?
Answer: The children keep playing despite being out of breath because their excitement and love for the game outweigh their tiredness. The line "I can't even catch my breath" shows they are winded from running, yet they continue. This behaviour reflects the carefree joy of childhood, where fun matters more than discomfort. Their persistence highlights youthful energy and the pleasure of being fully engaged in play.
Explanation: The children love their game so much that they do not care about being tired or panting for breath.

Question. What does the phrase “night wins” mean?
Answer: The phrase “night wins” signifies that the day has come to an end, and the children must stop playing and go inside.
Explanation: It means the day is over, and darkness has stopped the children's fun game.

Question. What moral can be learned from the children's attitude toward playing?
Answer: The children's attitude teaches the value of living in the moment and enjoying activities fully. Even though they are tired and their feet ache, they play on until night stops them. This shows resilience and a focus on happiness rather than small hardships. The lesson is to make the most of joyful opportunities while they last, because time will eventually bring them to an end.
Explanation: We should enjoy every second of our happy playtime without letting small aches or tiredness stop our fun.

Question. What does the poetess intend by ‘game’s over’?
Answer: The ‘game’s over’ signifies the ending of the game, the poetess and her friends were playing. Metaphorically, it signifies the ending of childhood days in the poetess’s life.
Explanation: It means playtime has finished for the day, but it also reminds us that being a child does not last forever.

Question. What imagery is used to describe the approaching night?
Answer: The imagery of “blue dark turns to black,” “cold grass aches our feet,” and “trees creep close” is used to describe the encroaching night, creating a sense of stillness and the end of activity.
Explanation: The poet paints word pictures of a darkening sky, cold dewy grass, and shadowy trees closing in.

Question. What does the phrase "trees creep close" symbolize in the poem?
Answer: In "The Winner," "trees creep close" symbolises the approaching darkness of evening. The personification makes the trees seem to move nearer as light fades, so the surroundings feel as if they are tightening around the children. This image suggests that nature is quietly bringing playtime to an end. The phrase adds a slightly eerie tone and reinforces the sense that the game is winding down because night is drawing in.
Explanation: As daylight fades, the shadows make the trees look like they are gathering closer to end the day.

Question. What happens as evening transforms into night?
Answer: As evening turns into night, the blue dark turns to black, the cold grass makes their feet ache, and the trees seem to creep closer. This signifies the end of their playtime.
Explanation: The sky turns completely dark, the ground becomes chilly, and the game comes to an end.

Question. What is the importance of "Night wins" in the poem?
Answer: "Night wins!" means that night triumphs over the children's playtime by bringing darkness and cold, which forces them to stop. The poet personifies night as a powerful force that ends the day's activities. As the sky darkens and the grass cools, the children must accept night's dominance. This line underlines the unavoidable passage of time, emphasising that nature decides when play must end.
Explanation: It shows that nature decides when playtime ends, because nobody can play outside in the dark.

Question. How were the poetess’ childhood days?
Answer: The poetess’ childhood days were full of joy and excitement. The poetess and her friends were playing with the ball. They were running fast which left the poetess breathless. Moreover, the poetess was sad that the game came to an end as it was nighttime.
Explanation: Her childhood was full of joyful outdoor games, laughter, running with friends, and simple adventures.

Question. How does enthusiasm of the children?
Answer: The poet conveys the energy and excitement of the children through phrases like “we run so fast” and “I can’t even catch my breath,” indicating their intense and breathless play.
Explanation: Phrases about running super fast and panting for air show how excited and energetic the children are.

Question. Why do the children's feet experience pain in the poem?
Answer: The children's feet ache because they have been playing on "cold grass" until evening, as indicated by the line "cold grass aches our feet." After running and moving for a long time, the cooling grass makes their feet feel the chill. This physical discomfort shows both the effect of prolonged activity and the change in the environment as night falls. It helps mark the end of play by showing how nature affects their bodies.
Explanation: Running on the cold, wet grass late into the evening makes their feet hurt from the cold.

Question. How does the shift from evening to night affect the atmosphere in the poem?
Answer: The transition from evening to night changes the atmosphere from lively and playful to quiet and still, indicating the end of the game and the onset of rest.
Explanation: The scene changes from loud, noisy running to quiet, calm darkness as everyone gets ready to rest.

Question. What does the poet convey by describing the children's play at dusk?
Answer: By setting the playtime at dusk, the poet conveys the fleeting nature of joy and youth. The shift when "blue dark turns to black" contrasts the children's lively play with the approaching night, showing that bright moments do not last. Dusk is a time of change—still full of life but moving towards an end—which mirrors how childhood is brief. The cold grass and the closing trees gently push the children to stop, suggesting that time and nature limit all activities.
Explanation: Dusk is the short time right before night, showing that happy playtime ends quickly, just like childhood does.

Question. What sport are the children engaged in?
Answer: The children are playing with a ball.
Explanation: The kids are playing a fun, energetic ball game in an open field.

Question. What do the expressions "I can't even catch my breath" and "trees creep close" signify in the poem?
Answer: In "The Winner," the lines "I can't even catch my breath" and "trees creep close" together highlight the contrast between the children's energy and the steady passage of time. "I can't even catch my breath" shows the children's intense exertion and excitement as they run and play. The short, breathless rhythm of the line mirrors their panting and suggests they are completely absorbed in the game. This captures the spirit of childhood, where enthusiasm often overcomes physical limits. In contrast, "trees creep close" signals the approach of evening and the slowing of activity. The personification makes the trees seem to draw nearer as light fades, indicating that nature is quietly enclosing the scene and that playtime is about to end. The phrase "it is evening time" explains why visibility drops and why the surroundings feel more confined. Together, these images balance the children's boundless joy with the natural order that brings closure. The poem blends the thrill of play with a gentle reminder that all lively moments end as night arrives.
Explanation: One line shows how breathless and excited the kids are, while the other shows the quiet, shadowy night settling in around them.