Samacheer Kalvi Class 4 English Solutions Term 3 Chapter 1 The Mistaken Plate

A. Choose the Correct Answer.

Question 1.
(a) Gold
(b) Silver
(c) Brass
Answer: (c) Brass
In simple words: If you were to pick from the choices given, the correct one is Brass. This is the material the utensils were made of.

🎯 Exam Tip: For multiple-choice questions with minimal context, ensure the answer chosen directly aligns with known facts from the story or associated lesson.

Question 2. The grandmother had kept the plate in memory of her _____.
(a) Son
(b) Husband
(c) Daughter
Answer: (b) Husband
In simple words: The grandmother saved the plate because it reminded her of her husband. It was a special keepsake for her.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to character relationships and significant items mentioned in stories, as these often form the basis of memory or sentiment.

Question 3. In real the plate was made of _____.
(a) Gold
(b) Silver
(c) Brass
Answer: (a) Gold
In simple words: The plate was actually made of gold, even though the greedy merchant tried to pretend it was worthless. Its true value was very high.

🎯 Exam Tip: In stories, sometimes things are not what they seem at first, so always recall the actual discovery or truth revealed.

Question 4. The merchant paid _____ to the boatman.
(a) Ten rupees
(b) Eight rupees
(c) Three gold coins
Answer: (b) Eight rupees
In simple words: The good merchant gave eight rupees to the boatman. This money was for his journey to cross the river and go back home.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember specific numerical details and their purpose, like amounts paid or items exchanged, as they are often tested.

Question 5. Secondly the greedy merchant is ready to offer _____.
(a) Ten rupees
(b) Twenty rupees
(c) Horse
Answer: (a) Ten rupees
In simple words: After the good merchant valued the plate, the greedy merchant returned and was ready to offer ten rupees for it. His earlier claim of it being worthless was a lie.

🎯 Exam Tip: Notice how characters' actions change based on new information, especially in tales about honesty versus greed.

B. Whose Words Are These? Name the Character.

Question 1. "Utensils made of brass and tin for sale!"
Answer: The merchants
In simple words: The merchants would shout this to announce what they were selling. It was their way of calling out to customers.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify key phrases spoken by characters to understand their role and actions in the story.

Question 2. "I am not rich enough to buy this plate. This is a gold plate."
Answer: The good merchant
In simple words: These words were spoken by the good merchant when he realized the plate was very valuable. He was honest about its worth and his inability to pay for it fully.

🎯 Exam Tip: Distinguish between characters by observing their dialogue; honest characters often speak truthfully about values and limitations.

Question 3. "We do not have money to buy anything."
Answer: Grandmother
In simple words: The grandmother said this to her granddaughter. It showed their poor situation and why they could not buy new things.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to dialogue that reveals a character's circumstances or feelings, as this often explains their motivations.

C. Answer the Following Questions.

Question 1. Who lived in the old house?
Answer: A woman and her granddaughter lived in the old house. They were a small family trying to manage their daily lives.
In simple words: An old woman and her granddaughter lived together in the house.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked about who lives somewhere, always state both characters if more than one is mentioned.

Question 2. Why did the greedy merchant get angry?
Answer: The greedy merchant pretended to be angry to make the grandmother and her granddaughter believe that the gold plate was worthless. He wanted to get it from them for a very low price. His anger was a trick to deceive them.
In simple words: The greedy merchant acted angry to trick the grandmother into thinking her gold plate was worth nothing, so he could buy it very cheaply.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand that in stories, emotions can sometimes be faked to achieve a selfish goal, especially by cunning characters.

Question 3. Name the things that good merchant offered for the plate.
Answer: The good merchant offered all his money, his donkey, his cart, and his wares for the plate. He was willing to give everything because he knew the plate's true value.
In simple words: The good merchant offered all his money, his donkey, his cart, and his goods in exchange for the plate.

🎯 Exam Tip: List all items clearly and completely when asked to name things offered or exchanged in a transaction.

Question 4. What will you do if you have a gold plate?
Answer: If I had a gold plate, I would not sell it to anybody. I would keep it as a precious memory of my ancestors. Such items connect us to our family history.
In simple words: I would keep a gold plate as a family memory and not sell it.

🎯 Exam Tip: For hypothetical "what will you do" questions, give a clear, personal, and well-reasoned answer based on the story's values.

I. Fill in the Blanks.

Question 1. The second merchant was _____ as he tried to pay as less as possible.
Answer: greedy
In simple words: The second merchant was greedy because he always tried to pay the lowest possible price.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify character traits based on their actions, especially when they try to manipulate prices or values.

Question 2. The grandmother had kept the plate in memory of her _____.
Answer: Husband
In simple words: The grandmother kept the plate to remember her husband.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember specific details related to family relationships and sentimental items in stories.

Question 3. The man took the plate and scratched it with a _____.
Answer: Needle
In simple words: The merchant used a needle to scratch the plate. This was how he checked what it was made of.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to the tools or methods characters use to test or examine objects in a story.

Question 4. The other merchant threw this plate on the _____.
Answer: Ground
In simple words: The greedy merchant threw the plate onto the ground. He did this to show he thought it was worthless.

🎯 Exam Tip: Note character actions that demonstrate disrespect or a false appraisal of value.

Question 5. He only kept eight rupees for the _____ home.
Answer: Ferry
In simple words: The good merchant kept eight rupees to pay for the ferry ride. This was so he could travel back home across the river.

🎯 Exam Tip: Details about money and travel are important; remember the purpose of specific amounts mentioned.

II. Write True On False.

Question 1. The merchant sold things made of copper and tin.
Answer: False
In simple words: The statement is false because the merchants sold items made of brass and tin, not copper.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always double-check specific material names or details mentioned in the text to avoid common errors.

Question 2. T te and give any of your fruits?
Answer: False
In simple words: This statement is false because the good merchant offered to give all his possessions for the plate, not to receive fruits from the girl.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the actual exchange and offers made by characters, particularly when assessing true or false statements.

Question 3. He threw the plate on the ground and walked away.
Answer: True
In simple words: This statement is true, as the greedy merchant did throw the plate on the ground. He did this to pretend it was worthless and then left.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember significant actions of characters, especially those that show their negative traits like deception.

Question 4. The little girl took some dishes of her choice but, the merchant was not happy.
Answer: True
In simple words: This statement is true; the good merchant was happy to exchange his wares for the gold plate, and the girl was pleased with her new dishes. His happiness came from being honest.

🎯 Exam Tip: Note the emotional responses of characters to outcomes, especially after a fair or honest exchange.

III. Identify the Character / Speaker.

Question 1. "We can get something we can use."
Answer: The granddaughter
In simple words: The granddaughter suggested they could trade the old plate for something useful. She was looking for practical items.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify speakers by their suggestions or ideas, as these often reveal their perspective or needs.

Question 2. "What is it worth? Not even one rupee”.
Answer: The greedy merchant
In simple words: The greedy merchant spoke these words to lie about the plate's value. He wanted to trick the family into giving it away.

🎯 Exam Tip: Recognize deceptive language used by characters to manipulate others, especially phrases that downplay value.

Question 3. "I have nothing else to offer.”
Answer: The good merchant
In simple words: The good merchant said this because he had given everything he owned for the gold plate. His offer was a sign of his honesty.

🎯 Exam Tip: Look for dialogue that shows a character's generosity or their full commitment to a fair exchange.

Question 4. "Grandma, that merchant was angry”.
Answer: The little girl
In simple words: The little girl told her grandma that the first merchant seemed angry. She was observing his rude behavior.

🎯 Exam Tip: Character observations, especially those describing others' behavior, help in understanding the narrative.

Question 5. "I do not know why he did that.”
Answer: The good merchant
In simple words: The good merchant said he didn't understand why the other merchant had thrown the plate. He was puzzled by the dishonest act.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to phrases that express confusion or honesty, as they often reveal a character's true nature.

IV. Answer the Following Questions.

Question 1. What did the merchant sell and buy?
Answer: The merchant sold things made of brass and tin. He bought old items made of different metals to melt them down and reuse the material. This was a common practice for artisans.
In simple words: The merchant sold brass and tin items and bought old metal things to melt and use again.

🎯 Exam Tip: When asked about what a merchant sells and buys, ensure both aspects are clearly addressed in your answer.

Question 2. Where did the merchants travel to sell?
Answer: The merchants travelled across rivers and mountains, and through the streets of the town to sell their goods. They covered wide areas to find customers.
In simple words: The merchants traveled over rivers, mountains, and through town streets to sell their goods.

🎯 Exam Tip: For questions about travel, include all specific locations or types of terrain mentioned in the story.

Question 3. What do you know about the woman and her granddaughter?
Answer: The woman and her granddaughter lived in an old house. They were once a wealthy family but were now living in poverty. They only had a plate left as a memory of their past wealth. Their life had changed a lot.
In simple words: The woman and her granddaughter lived in an old house. They used to be rich but were now poor, and had only one plate left from their wealthy days.

🎯 Exam Tip: Include details about both past and present circumstances when describing characters with changing fortunes.

Question 4. Without money, how did the granddaughter want to trade with the merchant?
Answer: The granddaughter did not have money, but she had an old plate that she did not use. She wanted to give this plate to the merchant and get some useful utensils from him in return. This was her idea for a barter.
In simple words: The granddaughter wanted to trade an old, unused plate for some utensils, since she had no money.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain the method of trade clearly, especially when money is not involved, focusing on the items exchanged.

Question 5. How did the merchant find that it was a golden plate?
Answer: The merchant took the plate and scratched it with a needle. When he did this, he found out that it was actually a gold plate. This simple test revealed its true material.
In simple words: The merchant scratched the plate with a needle, and that's how he discovered it was made of gold.

🎯 Exam Tip: Describe the specific action or method used to uncover a hidden fact, like testing a material.

Question 6. Why did the good merchant give all he had to the little girl?
Answer: The good merchant knew that the gold plate was much more valuable than all the things he had. He did not want to cheat the woman and the little girl. So, he gave everything he owned for the gold plate, showing his honesty.
In simple words: The good merchant gave everything he had to the little girl because he knew the gold plate was worth far more, and he wanted to be honest.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining a character's generous action, highlight their moral reasoning, such as honesty and fairness.

Question 7. Why did the greedy merchant throw the plate the first time knowing that it was gold?
Answer: The greedy merchant wanted to trick the woman and the little girl. He told them that the plate was worthless, even though he knew it was gold. He planned to come back later and take the plate for free. So, he threw it away the first time to make them believe it had no value.
In simple words: The greedy merchant threw the gold plate to trick the family into thinking it was worthless. He wanted to return later and take it for free.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the deceptive motives of a greedy character when explaining their actions, especially when they pretend an item has no value.

Question 8. Why did the good merchant keep back eight rupees?
Answer: The good merchant kept back eight rupees with him. This money was meant to pay the boatman to take him back home across the river. He needed to ensure his own travel.
In simple words: The good merchant kept eight rupees to pay the boatman for his trip back home across the river.

🎯 Exam Tip: Connect specific amounts of money mentioned to their practical purpose in the story, like covering travel expenses.

Let Us Read Aloud

Read the Passage and Colour One Bag Each Time You Read.

There lived a poor but an honest farmer in a village. He supported himself, his wife and seven children using his small piece of land. One day while he was walking in his field, he found a bag of gold. He took it home and showed it to his wife. His wife told him to keep some of the gold. He told his wife that honesty is the best policy. He tried to find the person who lost it. At last, he found that the owner of the bag and gave it back. The rich man took the bag and thanked him.

Read the Above Passage Carefully and Answer for the Following Questions.

Question 1. What did the farmer find in the field?
(a) A bag full of gold
(b) A bag full of money
Answer: (a) A bag full of gold
In simple words: The farmer found a bag filled with gold while walking in his field. He was honest and wanted to return it.

🎯 Exam Tip: Extract key information directly from the passage, such as what important items are discovered.

Question 2. What is the main idea of the story?
(a) Farmer
(b) Honesty
Answer: (b) Honesty
In simple words: The main idea of the story is honesty, shown by the farmer who returned the lost bag of gold. This teaches us the importance of being truthful.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify the central moral or lesson conveyed by a story to determine its main idea.

I. What Will Glory Say? Do You Think You Can Help Glory by Giving Some Ideas to Ravi?

Question 1. Glory : You can write a story about the _____ and the _____ Ravi : Great idea! Thank you! Glory : _____ Ravi.
Answer:
Glory : You can write a story about the dog and the bone.
Ravi : Great idea! Thank you!
Glory : You are welcome Ravi.
In simple words: Glory suggests writing a story about a dog and a bone. Ravi thanks her, and Glory replies, "You are welcome."

🎯 Exam Tip: When completing dialogues, make sure your additions fit the context and tone of the conversation naturally.

Question 1.
Rathi: Hi Akka!
Shopkeeper: Hi! How can I help?
Rathi: I need a _____
Shopkeeper : Sure. Which colour?
Rathi: Give a _____ pen.
Shopkeeper: Do you need a ten rupee pen or a five rupee pen?
Rathi : Give me the ten rupee pen.
Shopkeeper : Do you want anything else?
Rathi: _____
Shopkeeper: Thank you. Goodbye.
Rathi.: _____
Answer:
Rathi: Hi Akka!
Shopkeeper: Hi! How can I help?
Rathi: I need a pen.
Shopkeeper : Sure. Which colour?
Rathi : Give a gold colour pen.
Shopkeeper: Do you need a ten rupee pen or a five rupee pen?
Rathi : Give me the ten rupee pen.
Shopkeeper: Do you want anything else?
Rathi : No. Thank you!
Shopkeeper: Thank you. Goodbye.
Rathi. : Welcome.
In simple words: The dialogue shows Rathi buying a gold-colored pen for ten rupees from the shopkeeper. She politely declines further offers and expresses gratitude and farewell.

🎯 Exam Tip: When filling in dialogue, ensure the responses are logical and complete the conversation politely and clearly.

Additional Questions and Answers.

Question 1. Write a dialogue between a teacher and a student who had not done his homework.
Answer:
Teacher: Students, all of you submit your homework note.
Student : Madam, can I submit it tomorrow?
Teacher : Why are you not submitting it now?
Student : I did not bring my book today.
Teacher: Did you do the homework?
Student : No, madam.
Teacher : Why?
Student : I did not understand the sum.
Teacher : Its ok. Bring your book tomorrow. I will teach the sum once again and clear your doubt.
Student : Thank you so much madam. I will do.
In simple words: This dialogue shows a student unable to submit homework because they didn't understand the work. The teacher kindly offers to help them the next day.

🎯 Exam Tip: When writing a dialogue, make sure each character's lines are distinct, consistent with their role, and move the conversation forward logically.

I Can Do

A. Choose the Word with Same Meaning.

Question 1. Foothills
(a) Mountain
(b) Small
(c) Low hill at base
Answer: (c) Low hill at base
In simple words: Foothills means small hills found at the bottom of a larger mountain. They are like the lower parts of a mountain range.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand synonyms and related terms to correctly identify words with the same meaning.

Question 2. Kingdom
(a) Country
(b) Field
(c) Land
Answer: (a) Country
In simple words: A kingdom is like a country that is ruled by a king or queen. It refers to a large area of land under one ruler.

🎯 Exam Tip: When matching meanings, consider the general context and typical usage of the word to find the best fit.

B. Tick (✔) the Correct One.

Question 1. Monkey
(a) bray
(b) chatter
(c) mew
Answer: (b) Chatter
In simple words: Monkeys make chattering sounds, which are quick, excited noises. This is how they communicate with each other.

🎯 Exam Tip: Learn and associate animals with the specific sounds they make, as this is a common vocabulary exercise.

Question 2. Elephant
(a) roar
(b) hum
(c) trumpet
Answer: (c) Trumpet
In simple words: Elephants make a loud sound called a trumpet. They do this by blowing air through their trunks.

🎯 Exam Tip: It is helpful to visualize the animal and its sound to correctly identify the characteristic noise.

Question 3. Rooster
(a) crow
(b) hiss
(c) bleat
Answer: (a) Crow
In simple words: A rooster makes a loud "cock-a-doodle-doo" sound, which is called crowing. This usually happens in the morning.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on distinguishing sounds of farm animals, as they are often taught together in vocabulary lessons.

C. Name the Animal and Sound It Makes.

Question 1. I am a _____ I _____.
Answer: 1. A dog 2. Bark
In simple words: The animal is a dog, and the sound it makes is a bark. Dogs bark to communicate or alert.

🎯 Exam Tip: Accurately identify the animal and its distinct sound when asked to match them.

Question 2. I am a _____ I _____.
Answer: 1. Snake 2. Hiss
In simple words: The animal is a snake, and its sound is a hiss. Snakes hiss as a warning.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to the specific sound associated with each animal, as different animals have unique noises.

Question 3. I am a _____ I _____.
Answer: 1. A lion 2. Roar
In simple words: The animal is a lion, and the sound it makes is a roar. Lions roar to mark their territory.

🎯 Exam Tip: Ensure you know the loud and powerful sounds of larger animals, like a lion's roar.

D. Match the Rhyming Words.

Question 1. Say - fall
Answer: Say - day
In simple words: The word "say" rhymes with "day" because they have the same ending sound. Rhyming words often share similar spellings.

🎯 Exam Tip: When identifying rhyming words, focus on the ending sounds, not just the starting letters.

Question 2. Go - day
Answer: Go - grow
In simple words: The word "go" rhymes with "grow" as they both have a long 'o' sound. This is an example of a common rhyming pattern.

🎯 Exam Tip: Practice identifying rhyming pairs by listening carefully to the sounds of words.

Question 3. All - grow
Answer: All - fall
In simple words: The word "all" rhymes with "fall" because they share the 'all' sound at the end. These words sound similar when spoken.

🎯 Exam Tip: Rhyming skills help with pronunciation and understanding word patterns in poetry and songs.

D. Match the Rhyming Words.

Question 1. Say - fall
Answer: The rhyming pair for 'Say' is 'day'. Rhyming words have similar sounds, especially at the end. This makes poems and songs sound musical.
In simple words: 'Say' rhymes with 'day'.

🎯 Exam Tip: When matching rhyming words, focus on the sound, not just the spelling. Words like "blue" and "through" rhyme even with different spellings.

Question 2. Go - day
Answer: The rhyming pair for 'Go' is 'grow'. Rhyming words are often used in children's stories to make them more engaging. Knowing common rhyming patterns can help with reading fluency.
In simple words: 'Go' rhymes with 'grow'.

🎯 Exam Tip: Practice identifying rhyming words by saying them aloud. This helps your ear recognize the similar sounds.

Question 3. All - grow
Answer: The rhyming pair for 'All' is 'fall'. Rhyming helps create rhythm and flow in language. It makes it easier to remember words and phrases.
In simple words: 'All' rhymes with 'fall'.

🎯 Exam Tip: Look for words with the same vowel sound and the same ending consonant sound to find perfect rhymes.

E. Fill in the Blanks With A, An, The.

Question 1. Himalayas
Answer: The Himalayas. We use "the" before the names of unique mountain ranges. This shows that we are talking about a specific, well-known group of mountains.
In simple words: Use 'The' for 'Himalayas' because it is a special, known mountain range.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember to use "the" for proper nouns that refer to unique geographical features like oceans, rivers, and mountain ranges.

Question 2.
Answer: The river. We use "the" when we are talking about a specific river or one that has already been mentioned. Rivers are vital for life and transport.
In simple words: Use 'The' for 'river' if you mean a particular river.

🎯 Exam Tip: Use "a" or "an" for general nouns (e.g., "a dog"), and "the" for specific or unique nouns (e.g., "the sun," "the dog that barked").

Question 3. old man
Answer: An old man. We use "an" before words that start with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u) or a silent 'h'. 'Old' starts with the 'o' vowel sound. This indicates any old man, not a specific one.
In simple words: Use 'An' for 'old man' because 'old' starts with an 'o' sound.

🎯 Exam Tip: The choice between "a" and "an" depends on the sound of the word immediately following it, not just the first letter.

Question 4. Sun
Answer: The Sun. We use "the" when we talk about something unique or one of a kind, like the Sun. The Sun is a star that provides heat and light to Earth.
In simple words: Use 'The' for 'Sun' because it is unique.

🎯 Exam Tip: "A" and "an" are indefinite articles for general things, while "the" is the definite article for specific things or things that are unique.

The Mistaken Plate Summary in English and Tamil

Once upon a time, a merchant lived who sold items made of brass and tin. He traveled through rivers and mountains to sell his goods. He usually traveled with another merchant who also sold items of brass and tin. They bought things made of different metals to melt and use again. The second merchant was always very greedy and tried to pay as little as possible. One day, when they went to a town, they decided to split the streets so they wouldn't bother each other while selling. They went through their chosen streets, calling out, "Utensils made of brass and tin for sale!"

In an old house, a woman and her granddaughter lived. They used to be a wealthy family but were now poor. They only had one plate left, which was a memory of their past wealth. The grandmother had kept this plate in memory of her husband. The granddaughter heard the merchant outside and said to her grandmother, "Ammama, please buy something for me." The grandmother replied, "Dear, we don't have money to buy anything. We also don't have anything to trade." The granddaughter then suggested, "We have that old plate we don't use. Let's see what the merchant will offer us for it; we might get something useful."

The grandmother called the merchant and showed him the plate. She asked, "Will you take this plate and give us any of your utensils?" The merchant took the plate, scratched it with a needle, and found that it was made of gold. He said, "I am not rich enough to buy this plate. This is a gold plate." The grandmother asked, "Are you sure? Is this gold? The other merchant threw it on the ground and then left." The merchant replied, "I do not know why he did that. If you wish to sell it, take all the dishes you want." The little girl chose some dishes, but the merchant was not truly happy. So, he gave all his money, his donkey, his cart, and all his wares. He only kept eight rupees to pay the boatman to take him across the river back home. He quickly went to the river and paid the eight rupees to the boatman. Soon, the greedy merchant went back to the old house. He called the girl and said, "I have changed my mind. I will give you ten rupees for the plate." The grandmother replied, "You considered the plate worthless, but another merchant has already paid a huge price for it and took it."

The Mistaken Plate Glossary

Considered: thought about
Decided: determined
Disturb: trouble
Greedy: having a strong, selfish wish for wealth
Huge: very big or enormous
Memory: something remembered from the past
Poverty: the state of being extremely poor
Scratched: rubbed to make a mark
Wares: goods or items for sale
Worth: value or importance