Maharashtra Board Class 5 English Chapter 18 Weeds in the Garden Solutions

English Balbharati Std 5 Digest Chapter 18 Weeds In The Garden Textbook Questions And Answers

Question 1. List words and phrases in this story that indicate 'time'.
Answer:
In simple words:

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked to list words or phrases, ensure you extract them directly from the text without modification to score full marks.

When, time and again, soon, early one morning, suddenly, after a while, again, then, after the hard work, throughout his life, never.

Add Proper Prefixes Like Up-, Un-, Dis-, In- To The Following To Form Opposites.

Question 1. Add proper prefixes like up-, un-, dis-, in- to the following to form opposites.
1. happy
2. root
3. effective
4. noticed
5. believe
6. civilized
7. continue
Answer: 1. happy - unhappy
2. root – uproot
3. effective - ineffective
4. noticed - unnoticed
5. believe - disbelieve
6. civilized – uncivilized
7. continue – discontinue. Understanding prefixes helps expand vocabulary and comprehension.
In simple words: Prefixes are added to the beginning of words to change their meaning, often to create an opposite or a different form.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay close attention to the meaning of each prefix (e.g., 'un-' for not, 'dis-' for opposite) to correctly form the antonyms.

Answer The Following Questions.

Question 1. When do the parents feel sorry and become unhappy?
Answer: Parents feel sorry when they cannot indulge their kids or when they have to scold them for something wrong which they do. Even when scolding has no effect on improving the kids, parents become unhappy, as they deeply care for their children's well-being.
In simple words: Parents feel sad and unhappy when they can't give their children everything they want, or when they have to scold them, especially if the scolding doesn't help the child improve.

🎯 Exam Tip: When answering questions about emotions or character feelings, always explain the underlying reasons for those feelings as described in the text.

Question 2. What methods did Anshuman's parents use to warn Anshuman about his bad habits?
Answer: Except for beating Anshuman, his parents used gentle words, strict warnings, and scolding him now and then to warn him about his, bad habits. They consistently tried to guide him towards better behavior.
In simple words: Anshuman's parents used gentle words, warnings, and scolding to try and correct his bad habits, avoiding physical punishment.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing methods, list them clearly and concisely, focusing on the actions taken by the characters.

Question 3. What did Anshuman's father compare bad habits to?
Answer: Anshuman's father compared bad habits to the weeds. The longer you allow them to grow the harder it gets to uproot them. He further said that the wisest thing to do is to get rid of them when it is easy to do so, emphasizing the importance of early intervention.
In simple words: Anshuman's father compared bad habits to weeds, explaining that they become harder to remove the longer you let them grow, so it's best to deal with them early.

🎯 Exam Tip: When a question asks for a comparison, clearly state what is being compared to what, and then explain the reasoning behind the comparison.

4. Use The Following Phrase In Your Own Sentence

Question 1. Use the following phrase in your own sentence
1. in vain
2. get a hold of
3. to get rid of
Answer:
1. in vain - without success
The football team tried its best to win but in vain. It was a disappointing outcome despite their efforts.
2. get a hold of – to take possession.
The police got hold of the criminal after a long search. Their persistent efforts finally paid off.
3. to get rid of – to do away with, to discard.
We are going to get rid of our old car for a new one. This decision will allow us to upgrade.
In simple words: This question asks you to understand the meaning of common phrases and then use each one correctly in a sentence of your own.

🎯 Exam Tip: For questions involving phrases, first define the phrase accurately, then construct a clear and grammatically correct sentence that demonstrates its meaning in context.

5. Language Study (See Pages 84-88)

Question 1. Read the following sentences and then highlight the prepositions.
1. for a walk
2. around the farm
3. specialities of plants
4. in the soil
5. with great effort
Answer:
1. for a walk
2. around the farm
3. specialities of plants
4. in the soil
5. with great effort
In simple words: Prepositions are words like 'for', 'around', 'of', 'in', and 'with' that show the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence. Identifying them helps understand sentence structure.

🎯 Exam Tip: To identify prepositions, look for words that indicate position, direction, time, or manner, often connecting a noun or pronoun to the rest of the sentence.

Question 1. Change the meaning of the sentence by changing the preposition.
Answer: (No specific sentence is provided in the question to demonstrate the change. However, changing a preposition can drastically alter a sentence's meaning, for example, "He walked *to* the store" versus "He walked *from* the store." This simple change completely reverses the direction of movement.)
In simple words: A small word like a preposition can completely change what a sentence means, like going somewhere versus coming from somewhere.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked to change meaning by altering a preposition, choose a preposition that creates a clear and distinct new relationship or direction, ensuring the new sentence is grammatically correct.

Question 1. The tiger jumped into the river.
Answer: The tiger jumped out of the river. This changes the direction of the action.
In simple words: The original sentence said the tiger went *into* the river, and the answer changes it to the tiger coming *out of* the river.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay close attention to prepositions like 'into', 'out of', 'in', 'on', 'under', 'to', 'from', as changing them completely alters the meaning of a sentence.

Question 2. Put the cubes in the box.
Answer: Put the cubes near the box. This indicates a change in location relative to the box.
In simple words: The first sentence meant placing cubes inside the box, while the changed sentence means placing them beside the box.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked to change a sentence, identify the key word (often a preposition or verb) that needs modification to create a new, logical meaning.

Question 3. We travelled to Mumbai by train.
Answer: We travelled from Mumbai by train. This implies the starting point of the journey.
In simple words: The original sentence describes traveling *towards* Mumbai, and the changed sentence describes traveling *away from* Mumbai.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understanding the difference between 'to' (destination) and 'from' (origin) is crucial for accurately describing travel and movement.

Question 4. There were many people around the house.
Answer: There were many people inside the house. This change makes the statement more specific about the location of the people.
In simple words: The original sentence said people were 'around' the house, but the corrected answer says they were 'inside' the house.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay close attention to prepositions like 'around' and 'inside' as they significantly change the meaning of a sentence.

Question 5. The children were asked to come without their parents.
Answer: The children were asked to come with their parents. This correction changes the condition under which the children were to come.
In simple words: The original sentence said children should come alone, but the corrected answer says they should come with their parents.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always check for words like 'without' and 'with' as they are crucial for understanding conditions and relationships in a sentence.

Question 3. Change the meaning by changing the adverb.
(1) Speak gently
(2) Come in
(3) Hit the stone-hard with the hammer
Answer:
(1) Speak politely, quickly, slowly. Changing the adverb alters the manner of speaking.
(2) Come here, fast. The adverb 'here' specifies location, while 'fast' specifies speed.
(3) Hit the stone gently with the hammer. Changing 'hard' to 'gently' completely reverses the intensity of the action.
In simple words: By swapping out adverbs like 'gently' for 'politely' or 'hard' for 'gently', you can completely change how an action is performed or where it happens.

🎯 Exam Tip: To change the meaning of a sentence using adverbs, identify the verb and then think of different ways that action could be performed (e.g., quickly, slowly, loudly, softly, here, there).

Group Work

Question 1. Form groups of 5-8 and list the following. Bad habits Very harmful habits
Answer: Students should form groups of 5-8 and collaboratively list various bad habits and very harmful habits. This activity encourages discussion and critical thinking about personal conduct.
In simple words: Get into small groups and make a list of things people do that are considered bad, and another list of habits that are really harmful.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked to list items in a group activity, ensure your list is comprehensive and includes a variety of relevant examples. Brainstorming together helps generate more ideas.

Discuss The Following In Groups

Question 1. Do people admit that they have bad habits?
Answer: Do it yourself.
In simple words: This question asks for your personal opinion or observation about whether people acknowledge their own bad habits.

🎯 Exam Tip: For "Do it yourself" questions, reflect on common human behavior and provide a thoughtful, concise answer based on your observations.

Question 2. What can we do to get rid of bad habits?
Answer: Do it yourself.
In simple words: This question prompts you to think about practical steps or strategies one can take to overcome undesirable habits.

🎯 Exam Tip: When answering questions about overcoming habits, consider steps like identifying the habit, setting goals, seeking support, and practicing self-discipline.

Question 3. Do's and Don'ts for young children.
Answer:

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked to list 'Do's and Don'ts', try to provide an equal number of points for both categories and ensure they are clear and contrasting. Focus on common daily activities.

English Balbharati Std 5 Answers Chapter 18 Weeds In The Garden Additional Important Questions And Answers

A Textual And Additional Questions

Answer The Following:

Question 1. What did Anshuman's parents notice about him?
Answer: Anshuman's parents noticed that he was developing some bad habits, which they compared to 'weeds in a garden' that needed to be removed before they grew too big. They were concerned about his overall development.
In simple words: Anshuman's parents saw that he was picking up some bad habits, like weeds growing in a garden, and they wanted to fix them early.

🎯 Exam Tip: When answering questions about character observations, clearly state what was noticed and, if possible, include any metaphors or comparisons used in the story to describe it.

Question 2. What did Anshuman refuse to believe?
Answer: Anshuman refused to believe that he was letting the bad habits get a hold over him. He thought he was in control.
In simple words: Anshuman didn't want to accept that his bad habits were becoming too strong for him to control.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked about a character's refusal, clearly state what they denied and why, if the text provides the reason.

Question 3. How did Anshuman's parents want to correct their son?
Answer: Anshuman's parents wanted to be loving and gentle while correcting their son. They believed this approach would be more effective than being harsh.
In simple words: His parents wanted to correct him with love and kindness, not by being strict.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the method or approach described in the text when answering "how" questions about character actions.

Question 4. Where did Anshuman and his parents go to stay?
Answer: Anshuman and his parents went to stay on his grandfather's farm. This change of scenery was part of their plan.
In simple words: Anshuman and his parents went to live at his grandfather's farm.

🎯 Exam Tip: For "where" questions, provide the specific location mentioned in the story.

Question 5. What did Anshuman's father do while taking him around the farm?
Answer: Anshuman's father described the specialities of various plants, vines, bushes and trees while taking him around the farm. He used this opportunity to teach Anshuman about nature.
In simple words: Anshuman's father showed him around the farm and explained interesting facts about different plants.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing actions, include details about what was done and any additional context provided in the text.

Question 6. Was it easy for Anshuman to pull out the slightly bigger weed? How did he pull it out?
Answer: No, it was not easy for Anshuman to pull out the slightly bigger weed. Anshuman had to carefully, twist and pull it hard so that the whole plant came out with its root from the soil. This task required significant effort.
In simple words: No, it was hard. Anshuman had to twist and pull the weed strongly to get it out completely with its roots.

🎯 Exam Tip: For questions with multiple parts (e.g., "Was it easy?" and "How did he pull it out?"), ensure both parts are answered clearly and completely.

Question 7. What did Anshuman's father notice, growing at a distance?
Answer: Anshuman's father noticed the same weed growing at a distance. He noticed that the weed had grown into a big plant with tiny flowers and dark fruits, which was quite concerning.
In simple words: Anshuman's father saw a large weed with small flowers and dark fruits growing far away.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked about observations, be specific about what was seen, including details like size, color, and type of plant if mentioned.

Question 8. Why did Anshuman's father want the weed plant pulled out?
Answer: Anshuman's father wanted the weed plant to be pulled out because if the weed plant was allowed to grow it would be dangerous to the other useful plants on the farm, potentially harming their growth. This shows his foresight in protecting his crops.
In simple words: He wanted the weed removed because it could harm the good plants on the farm.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always explain the 'why' clearly, linking the action to its consequence or reason as stated in the text.

Question 9. Was Anshuman successful in pulling out the weed plant with his bare hands?
Answer: Anshuman put all his strength and tried hard to pull out the weed plant but he was unsuccessful. The weed was too deeply rooted for him to remove it without tools.
In simple words: No, Anshuman tried very hard but couldn't pull out the weed with just his hands.

🎯 Exam Tip: For yes/no questions, always provide a clear 'yes' or 'no' first, then elaborate on the reason for the answer.

Question 10. How was the weed plant pulled out?
Answer: Anshuman's father brought some implements. They dug around the weed and with great effort managed to pull the weed plant out. This teamwork and use of tools finally got the job done.
In simple words: Anshuman's father used tools to dig around the weed, and then they pulled it out together with much effort.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing a process, list the steps or actions taken in chronological order for clarity.

Question 11. What did Anshuman never forget throughout his life?
Answer: Throughout his life Anshuman never forgot the early morning walk he had on the farm with his father. This memory taught him a valuable lesson about perseverance and the importance of addressing problems early.
In simple words: Anshuman always remembered the early morning walk on the farm with his father.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the specific event or lesson that had a lasting impact on the character, as described in the story.

Use The Phrases In Your Own Sentences.

Question 1. to no avail – of no use, without success
Answer: The rescue team searched for hours, but their efforts were to no avail as the missing hiker could not be found.
In simple words: "To no avail" means trying something but not succeeding.

🎯 Exam Tip: When using a phrase in a sentence, ensure the sentence clearly demonstrates the meaning of the phrase in context.

Question 2. no trace left - no sign left
Answer: The robbers left no trace and had taken away all the valuables from the house. This act of theft left the house completely empty of precious items.
In simple words: The robbers stole everything and left no clues behind.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked for the meaning of a phrase, provide a clear definition and then use it in a sentence to show understanding.

Question 3. time and again – over and over again, repeatedly.
Answer: He has been warned not to misbehave time and again. Despite repeated warnings, his behavior did not improve.
In simple words: He was told many times not to misbehave.

🎯 Exam Tip: For phrases, first define them clearly and then demonstrate their usage in a relevant sentence.

Question 4. throughout his life – entire life.
Answer: Throughout his life he has been helping the sick and needy. His dedication to serving others has been a constant theme in his journey.
In simple words: He spent his whole life helping people who were ill or in need.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining a phrase, ensure your example sentence clearly reflects the meaning of the phrase.

Language Study

Question 1. Pick out the prepositions
1. The cat ran across the road.
2. I kept my bag on the table.
3. I blew air into the balloon.
4. There are many pencils in the box.
5. We arranged a party for mother.
Answer:
1. across
2. on
3. into
In simple words: Prepositions are words like 'across', 'on', and 'into' that show the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence, often indicating location or direction.

🎯 Exam Tip: To identify prepositions, look for words that show position, direction, time, or manner in relation to a noun or pronoun.

4. in
5. for

Change The Meaning Of The Sentences By Changing The Preposition.

Question 1. Soham reached before me.
Answer: Soham reached after me. By changing 'before' to 'after', the sentence now conveys a different sequence of events.
In simple words: The original sentence said Soham arrived first, but changing 'before' to 'after' means he arrived later.

🎯 Exam Tip: When changing prepositions, ensure the new word logically alters the relationship between the subject and object, often indicating position, time, or direction.

Question 2. My brother ran up the hill.
Answer: My brother ran down the hill. This simple change of preposition completely reverses the direction of the action.
In simple words: Changing 'up' to 'down' makes the brother run in the opposite direction on the hill.

🎯 Exam Tip: Prepositions like 'up' and 'down' are crucial for indicating movement and direction. Always consider the opposite meaning when asked to change them.

Question 3. The children ran inside the house.
Answer: The children ran outside the house. The new preposition 'outside' clearly indicates a change in the location of the children's activity.
In simple words: By changing 'inside' to 'outside', the children are now playing in a different area relative to the house.

🎯 Exam Tip: Prepositions of place like 'inside' and 'outside' define boundaries. Swapping them creates a direct contrast in location.

Question 4. The cat sat on the table.
Answer: The cat sat under the table. This alteration changes the cat's vertical position relative to the table.
In simple words: Changing 'on' to 'under' means the cat is now below the table instead of on top of it.

🎯 Exam Tip: Prepositions like 'on' and 'under' are essential for describing relative positions. A simple change can drastically alter the scene.

Question 5. He jumped inside.
Answer: He jumped outside. The change from 'inside' to 'outside' indicates a shift in the location of the jump.
In simple words: By changing 'inside' to 'outside', the person is now jumping in a different area.

🎯 Exam Tip: When a sentence uses a preposition to indicate location, changing it to its opposite creates a clear contrast in where the action occurs.

Question 6. Change the meaning by changing the adverb.

Question 1.
1. Walk slowly
2. wait here
3. read quickly
4. I hurt myself yesterday
5. write the answer neatly
Answer:
1. walk quickly
2. wait there
3. read slowly
4. I hurt myself today
5. write the answer correctly.
In simple words: This exercise involves changing certain words in the given sentences to their opposites or to make them grammatically correct, as shown in the answer list.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay close attention to adverbs and tenses when asked to correct or rewrite sentences, as these are common areas for changes.

Do As Directed:

Question 1.
1. Why are you late? (Identify whether the sentence is a statement, a command, a question or an exclamation)
2. You are the first student to ..... finished your work. (has/have), (Fill in with the right form of verb)
3. There were many ................. in the basket. (Fill in with a countable noun)
4. She spoke ................ to her friend. (Fill in with an adverb)
5. I jumped......... the well to save the child. (Fill in with a preposition)
6. I love to hear stories. (Pick out the verb and state its tense)
7. I saw a ................ butterfly in the garden. (Fill in with an adjective)
8. Stand in a straight line. (Identify whether the sentence is a statement, a command, a question or an exclamation)
9. The dress has a tear on ................ sleeve. (Fill in with its or it's)
Answer:
1. Question
In simple words: The first sentence is identified as a question because it asks for information and ends with a question mark.

🎯 Exam Tip: To identify sentence types, look for punctuation (question mark, exclamation mark) and the sentence's purpose (asking, telling, commanding, expressing strong feeling).

Question 2. Add a prefix to get the opposite of –
1. correct
2. obedient
3. active
4. safe
Answer:
1. incorrect
2. disobedient
3. inactive
4. unsafe
In simple words: Prefixes are small word parts added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning, often to its opposite.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked to find opposites using prefixes, think about common prefixes like 'un-', 'dis-', 'in-', 'im-', 'ir-', and 'il-' that negate the original word's meaning.

Reading Skills, Vocabulary And Grammar

Read The Following Passage And Answer The Questions Given Below.

Question 1. What did father use to dig out the weed?
Answer: Father used implements to dig out the weed. These tools were essential for maintaining the garden.
In simple words: Father used tools, or implements, to remove the unwanted weeds from the ground.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always identify the specific tool or method mentioned in the passage when answering questions about how something was done.

Question 2. Which line in the passage tells us that Anshuman did not succeed in pulling out the weed plant?
Answer: The line 'He pulled harder and harder but to no avail' tells us that Anshuman did not succeed in pulling out the plant. This phrase clearly indicates his lack of success despite effort.
In simple words: The sentence "He pulled harder and harder but to no avail" shows that Anshuman tried his best but couldn't pull out the plant.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked to identify a specific line, quote it exactly from the passage and then briefly explain how it answers the question.

Question 3. Pick out a sentence from the passage which is an exclamation.
Answer: I can't get it out!
In simple words: An exclamation is a sentence that shows strong feeling, and "I can't get it out!" clearly expresses frustration.

🎯 Exam Tip: Look for sentences ending with an exclamation mark (!) to identify exclamations in a passage.

Question 4. Why couldn't Anshuman pull out the plant?
Answer: Anshuman could not pull out the plant because its roots had gone deep into the soil. The deep roots made it very firmly anchored.
In simple words: Anshuman couldn't pull out the plant because its roots were very deep in the soil, making it hard to move.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always provide the direct cause or reason mentioned in the passage when answering "Why" questions.

Question 5. Why should we not develop bad habits?
Answer: Developing bad habits spoils our character. You also lose the love, respect and trust of your near and dear ones, which is crucial for good relationships.
In simple words: We shouldn't develop bad habits because they harm our character and make people around us lose their love, respect, and trust in us.

🎯 Exam Tip: When discussing the consequences of actions, list both personal and social impacts to provide a comprehensive answer.

Writing Skills

Question 1. Do's and Don'ts in a classroom.
Answer:

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked to list "Do's and Don'ts," present them clearly, often in a table format, ensuring each point is concise and relevant to the topic.

Weeds In The Garden Summary In English

Summary:

The story 'Weeds in the Garden', tries to bring out the importance of correcting children and imbibing good habits at the right time. Anshuman in this story develops bad habits. His parents try their best to advise him to get out of it but in vain. His parents get a chance to correct him when they go to stay on his grandfather's farm.

While taking a walk on the farm, Anshuman's father points out to the weeds growing between the plants. He explains to Anshuman how these weeds are harmful to the plants on the farm. He tells him that if the weeds are not pulled out at the right time its roots would grow deeper into the soil and thus destroy the plants.

He compares the weeds to bad habits which should be pulled out before the roots grow deeper and destroy a healthy plant. In the same way if we don't get rid of bad habits, in time it will be difficult to reform or change oneself and will destroy the person's character. Anshuman realizes his mistake and becomes a changed person.

Meanings:

1. weeds (nt) – useless plants harmful for desired vegetation
2. indulge (v) – to satisfy wishes
3. vain (adj) – useless, without success

4. opportunity (n) – chance

5. vines (n) – a climbing plant

6. trace (n) – a very small amount

7. avail (o) – to be of use

8. implements (n) – tools or instruments

English Balbharati Std 5 Textbook Digest Unit 3