NCERT Solutions for Class 4 English Chapter 09 Hekko

Question 1. What does the word 'Hekko' mean?
Answer: The word 'Hekko' comes from two parts - 'Hek' which stands for challenge and 'Ko' which means tiger. Together, it translates to "challenging the tiger".
In simple words: Hekko means to challenge a tiger.

Exam Tip: Remember the origin of the word - always mention both root words 'Hek' and 'Ko' and their individual meanings when explaining.

Question 2. What are the two teams in the game called?
Answer: The two teams that play Hekko are called Aami, which means The Man, and Aakho, which means The Tiger.
In simple words: One team is called Aami and the other is called Aakho.

Exam Tip: Know the exact names of both teams and what they mean - this is a factual question that requires precise answers.

Question 3. How many players are there in each team?
Answer: Each team has 11 players in the game of Hekko.
In simple words: There are 11 players on each team.

Exam Tip: This is a straightforward factual answer - always state the exact number without adding extra details.

Question 4. What do the players in the Aami team do inside the circle?
Answer: The Aami team players work together to create a human chain inside the circle. They try to remain within the circle while protecting themselves from being pushed out by the Aakho team. When Aakho players come into the circle, the Aami team tries to catch them.
In simple words: Aami players hold hands in a chain and try to stay safe inside the circle. They also try to catch the other team's players.

Exam Tip: Remember that Aami players have two main roles - defending their position and catching opponents. Mention both roles in your answer.

Question 5. Why do you think the Aakho team (Tiger) must say "Joko" when they are caught?
Answer: The Aakho team must call out "Joko," which means surrender, when they are caught. This announces their defeat and allows them to leave the game so the next teammate can join. The word represents giving up after losing the challenge, similar to surrendering in a real battle or contest.
In simple words: "Joko" means giving up. When Aakho players say it, they admit they lost and let the next player have a turn.

Exam Tip: Explain what "Joko" means and connect it to the game's theme of challenging - showing that surrender is part of the game flow.

Question 6. If you were playing the game Hekko, would you prefer to be in the Aami or Aakho team? Why?
Answer: I would choose to play on the Aami team. Being part of Aami means working together with others to create and defend a human chain. This role lets me use teamwork and quick thinking to protect our space while trying to catch opponents who enter. I find it thrilling to plan tactics with my teammates and use speed and coordination to stop opponents from breaking through or escaping.
In simple words: I like Aami because it needs teamwork. We have to work together and think fast.

Exam Tip: For "think and discuss" questions, always give a clear choice and back it up with at least two reasons. Show understanding of what each team does.

Question 7. If you could add a new rule to the game, what would it be? What would be the benefit of the new rule?
Answer: I would suggest a new rule: once during each game, the Aami team is allowed to grab an Aakho player who is close to the circle's edge, even if that player has not yet entered. This change would make the game more exciting and force Aakho players to think more carefully about when and where they enter. As a result, the game becomes more balanced, because both teams would need to use clever planning and quick moves to win.
In simple words: My new rule would let Aami catch players near the circle. This makes both teams think harder and play better.

Exam Tip: When suggesting a new rule, clearly state what it is, explain how it works, and give at least one benefit. Show that you understand the game well enough to improve it.

Let us Learn (Pages 94-97)

Question 8. Choose the correct word to complete each sentence.
Answer:
(i) There is a beautiful park in my neighbourhood. They completed their work very fast.

(ii) Two of my friends took part in the poster-making competition. I felt too tired after playing.

(iii) The bowler threw the ball towards the batsman. I can see the clouds through my window pane.

(iv) My mother caught me eating an ice cream at night. I sleep on a cot when I am at my grandmother's village.

(v) While crossing the road, look to your right, then left, then right again and then cross the road. Write in a neat and clear style of handwriting.
In simple words: These words sound the same but have different meanings. Listen carefully and pick the right word based on what the sentence means.

Exam Tip: Learn the difference between words that sound alike - called homophones. For each pair, remember the meaning so you can pick correctly.

Question 9. Look at the pictures and write their names for the given sound patterns.
Answer:
st: Stairs, Stars
ch: Charger, Chair
gl: Glass, Glue
In simple words: Find words that start with each sound. Look at the picture and say its name.

Exam Tip: Pay attention to the starting sound in each word. Words that begin with the same sound pattern belong in the same group.

Question 10. Match the animals with their sounds.
Answer:
1. Tiger - roars
2. Horse - neighs
3. Elephant - trumpets
4. Dove - coos
5. Goat - bleats
6. Monkey - whoops
In simple words: Each animal makes its own special sound. Learn what sound each animal makes.

Exam Tip: Memorize animal sounds - they are commonly tested. Practice saying the animal name with its sound to remember better.

Past Simple Tense - Regular Verbs

The underlined words in these sentences - "lived," "declared," and "challenged" - show that events took place in the past. To show the past simple tense with regular verbs, you add the suffix -ed to the base verb form. However, some verbs do not follow this pattern. These are called irregular verbs, and their past forms are completely different from the base verb - for example: came, drank, drove, and saw.

Question 11. Fill in the blanks with the past tense form (-ed) of each verb shown.
Answer: Last week, we visited the park for a while. There were many children there. They were playing different games. My mother pointed at the children playing kabbadi. On our way home, my sister jumped in a puddle and muddied everyone's clothes. I enjoyed my visit to the park. My sister wanted to go to the pond but I decided to stay and watch the kabbadi game. I watched the game for a while and then joined my mother and sister. There were many fish in the pond. I spotted a goldfish and my sister noticed two tadpoles in the pond.
In simple words: Add -ed to the word to show it happened before. This tells us the action is finished.

Exam Tip: Check that the -ed form matches the base verb - for example, visit becomes visited, not visitted. Spell carefully and make sure you use the past tense consistently throughout.

Let us Listen (Page 98)

Question 12. In this game, we stack seven stones on top of each other. The first team throws a ball to knock them down. After the stones are knocked down, the members of the first team hurriedly rearrange the stack while the opponent team catches the ball to quickly hit the members of the first team before the stones are restacked. If you are hit by the ball, you are out. Can you guess the name of the game?
Answer: Seven Stones (also known as Satoliya, Pittu, or Lagori)
In simple words: A game with seven stones stacked up. One team knocks them down and builds them back up. The other team throws the ball at them.

Exam Tip: Remember that this game has different names in different regions of India. Any of these names is a correct answer - Seven Stones, Satoliya, Pittu, or Lagori.

Question 13. In this game, there are two teams. One player from the first team crosses into the second team's side while chanting the name of the game continuously without taking a breath. The goal is to tag as many players as possible and return to their side before being caught. If the player is caught, the other team scores. Can you guess the name of this game?
Answer: Kabaddi
In simple words: One player runs across and says a word again and again without stopping to breathe. They try to tag others and come back safe.

Exam Tip: The key feature of Kabaddi is the continuous chanting without breathing - this is what makes it unique and helps you identify it.

Question 14. This game is played with two wooden sticks - a short one and a longer one. The goal is to hit the shorter stick and make it jump in the air, then strike it again to send it flying. Players measure how far the shorter stick travels to score points.
Answer: Gilli Danda
In simple words: Hit a small stick with a bigger stick to make it fly far. The farther it goes, the more points you get.

Exam Tip: Remember the two sticks - one short and one long - this is the key feature of Gilli Danda.

Question 15. In this game, two children form an arch with their arms while others walk under it, singing a song. When the song ends, the arch drops, and the player caught joins in. It's a fun and rhythmic game played in many parts of India.
Answer: London Bridge
In simple words: Two children make an arch with their arms. Others walk under while singing. When the song stops, the arch drops and catches someone.

Exam Tip: The arch made by two children's arms is the defining feature - focus on this when identifying the game.

Question 16. In this game, children use a small round shaped glass object, aiming to knock out other glass round objects placed in a circle. Players flick the glass object with their fingers, trying to hit the target objects and win them. This is a popular outdoor game played in many parts of India.
Answer: Marbles (also known as Kancha or Goti)
In simple words: Flick small glass balls at other glass balls in a circle. Try to knock them out and win them.

Exam Tip: Remember that Marbles has different regional names - Kancha and Goti are other names for the same game.

Let us Speak (Page 100)

Question 17. Have you played any of these games before?
Answer: Yes, I have played rope skipping with my friends during recess time at school.
In simple words: I have played rope skipping before.

Exam Tip: Give a clear yes or no answer first, then add which game you played for more detail.

Question 18. Discuss with your partner about the games you recognise. (Rope Skipping)
Answer: Rope skipping is a game where two people hold each end of a rope and turn it while one or more players jump over the moving rope as many times as they can. The game ends when the jumper touches the rope. This game is very good for our health because it makes our heart stronger and improves our breathing power. It is a fun game that many children play together.
In simple words: In rope skipping, two people turn the rope and you jump over it. It keeps you healthy and strong.

Exam Tip: When discussing a game, explain how it is played and mention at least one benefit to make your answer complete.

Question 19. Which one is your favourite game? Why do you enjoy playing it?
Answer: My favourite game is Seven Stones (Lagori) because it moves quickly and is full of excitement, and it brings people together as a team. I love the thrill of trying to rebuild the stone stack before the other team hits me with the ball. The game mixes skill, speed, and smart thinking, which is why I find it so enjoyable.
In simple words: Seven Stones is my favourite. It is fast and fun and needs teamwork.

Exam Tip: Always name your favourite game clearly and give at least two reasons why you like it. Show that you understand how it is played.

Let us Write (Page 101)

Question 20. You read how the people of Nagaland made the game of Hekko. Write about a new game that you would like to play.
Answer:
Game: Shadow Chase
Time: 15 minutes per round
Number of players: 8 to 10 players
Material needed: A chalk or rope to draw a large circle, and coloured cloth bands to tie around arms (for team identification)

Rules:
1. Split the players into two groups - Chasers and Runners.
2. A large circle is drawn on the ground. The Runners must stay inside the circle.
3. The Chasers stay outside the circle and try to tag the shadows of the Runners without stepping into the circle.
4. A Runner is out if his or her shadow gets tagged.
5. After 7 minutes, the groups switch positions.
6. The group that tags the most shadows is the winner.

Foul:
- If a Chaser steps into the circle, their team loses one point.
- If a Runner steps out of the circle, they are out.

In simple words: Shadow Chase is a game where one team tries to tag the shadows of the other team. You need sunlight, a circle, and two teams to play.

Exam Tip: Make sure you describe all six parts clearly - the name, time, number of players, materials, rules, and fouls. A complete game description should be organised and easy to understand.

Let us Explore (Page 101)

Question 21. Nagaland is a land of festivals. Hornbill is one of the festivals to promote the culture of the state. Find out more about it.
Answer: The Hornbill Festival stands as one of the largest and most well-known festivals in Nagaland. It takes place every year from December 1st to December 10th in Kisama Heritage Village, which is near the city of Kohima. The festival gets its name from the Hornbill bird, which holds great importance in Naga culture and traditions. This bright festival displays the music, dance, food, crafts, and clothing of all the main Naga groups. Visitors enjoy folk performances, local games, clothing displays, food stalls, rock music shows, and storytelling events. The festival brings together people from different tribes, strengthening the bonds of unity, and is sometimes called the "Festival of Nagaland" because of this wide participation. Tourists from many countries around the world come to see this celebration.
In simple words: The Hornbill Festival is held every December in Nagaland. People from all the tribes come together to share their music, dance, food, and clothes. It is a big celebration that shows Naga culture.

Exam Tip: Include key details like dates, location, what the name means, what activities happen, and why it is important to the state culture. This shows you have researched and understood the festival well.