Samacheer Kalvi Class 4 English Solutions Term 2 Chapter 2 A Lesson To Save

A. Say Whether the Statements Are True or False.

Question 1. Amir left the tap opened earlier.
Answer: True. Amir forgot to close the tap tightly, leading to water wastage. This shows a common mistake people make about saving water.
In simple words: The statement is true, Amir did leave the tap open.

🎯 Exam Tip: For true or false questions, always provide a clear "True" or "False" answer first, then add a brief explanation if possible.

Question 2. Amir switched off the fan when he walked out.
Answer: False. Amir left the fan running when he walked out of the room. He learned later that turning off electrical appliances saves energy.
In simple words: No, this is false. Amir did not turn off the fan.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to small details in the story, as they often form the basis of true or false questions.

Question 3. Moles trap worms and store them.
Answer: True. Moles dig special tunnels to trap worms, then bite them to stop them from moving, and store them for later use. This is a clever way they prepare for winter.
In simple words: Yes, this is true. Moles catch worms and keep them stored.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember specific animal behaviors mentioned in the story, such as how moles find and store food.

Question 4. Leafcutter ants grow fungus.
Answer: True. Leafcutter ants collect leaves and use them to grow a special kind of fungus. This fungus is their main food source and is also fed to their babies.
In simple words: Yes, this is true. Leafcutter ants actually grow fungus using leaves.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify unique characteristics of each animal discussed, like the leafcutter ants' farming method.

Question 5. Amir realised his mistakes.
Answer: True. After talking to the mole and the leafcutter ants, Amir understood his wasteful habits and decided to be more careful with resources. He learned how important it is to save.
In simple words: Yes, this is true. Amir understood what he was doing wrong.

🎯 Exam Tip: Stories often have a moral or a character's journey; focus on how characters change or learn lessons.

B. Choose the Correct Option.

Question 1. Moles dig ______ to catch worms.
(a) Worm trap
(b) Tunnel
(c) Burrows
Answer: (a) Worm trap
In simple words: Moles dig special holes called worm traps to catch worms.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand the specific terminology used in the story, such as "worm trap" for how moles catch food.

Question 2. Leafcutter ants can carry leaves that weigh ______ times of their body weight.
(a) Two
(b) Twenty
(c) Thirty
Answer: (b) Twenty
In simple words: Leafcutter ants are very strong and can carry leaves that are twenty times heavier than themselves.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember key numerical facts or impressive abilities mentioned for each creature in the story.

Question 3. Moles bite and ______ the worms.
(a) Eat
(b) Store
(c) Paralyze
Answer: (c) Paralyze
In simple words: Moles bite the worms to make them unable to move, which is called paralyzing them.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the exact action described; "paralyze" is more precise than just "eat" or "store" in this context.

Question 4. Leafcutter ants drink ______.
(a) leaf sap
(b) Honey
(c) Dew
Answer: (a) leaf sap
In simple words: Leafcutter ants drink the juice from leaves, which is called leaf sap.

🎯 Exam Tip: Distinguish between what ants carry (leaves) and what they actually consume (leaf sap or fungus grown from leaves).

Question 5. Humans give importance to save ______.
(a) Food
(b) Money
(c) Water
Answer: (b) Money
In simple words: People usually focus on saving money, but other resources are also very important.

🎯 Exam Tip: Reflect on the human actions and perspectives presented in the story, especially what they prioritize saving.

C. Answer the Questions

Question 1. Why should we close the tap after using it?
Answer: We should always close the tap after using it to save water. Saving water now ensures that there is enough for future generations to use. Every drop counts for tomorrow.
In simple words: We should close the tap to save water so that people in the future will have enough.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining 'why', clearly state the reason and its long-term impact, like saving resources for the future.

Question 2. Where do the moles save their food?
Answer: Moles save their food in tunnels underground. They bite the worms to paralyze them and then store them in their burrow for later consumption. This helps them survive through winter.
In simple words: Moles save their food, like worms, inside their underground tunnels.

🎯 Exam Tip: Be specific about the location where animals store their food, as mentioned in the text.

Question 3. Why do the leafcutter ants grow the fungus?
Answer: The leafcutter ants grow fungus to feed their babies. They use the leaves they collect to cultivate this fungus, which is a vital food source for the young ants and the colony. It's like farming for their family.
In simple words: Leafcutter ants grow fungus to feed their baby ants.

🎯 Exam Tip: Link the action (growing fungus) to its specific purpose (feeding babies) to show a complete understanding.

Question 4. List the things that humans should save.
Answer: Humans should save various resources such as water, fuel, food, electricity, and forests. Saving these things helps protect our environment and ensures they are available for everyone in the long run. Each resource is important for our daily lives.
In simple words: Humans should save water, fuel, food, electricity, and forests.

🎯 Exam Tip: When listing, ensure you include all the items mentioned in the story or question to get full marks.

Question 5. What are things that we can save? Why should we save them?
Answer: We can save important resources like water, food, electricity, money, and fuel. We should save them so that our future generations can also use them and have a good quality of life. Saving helps everyone in the future.
In simple words: We can save water, food, electricity, money, and fuel. We save them so that people in the future can use them too.

🎯 Exam Tip: Answer both parts of a two-part question clearly: first 'what' and then 'why', providing a complete response.

Additional Questions and Answers

I. Answer the Following Questions

Question 1. What did Amir see on the way to the playground?
Answer: On his way to the playground, Amir saw a pile of dirt that had been thrown out of a pit on the ground. This unusual sight caught his attention. It looked like someone had been digging there.
In simple words: Amir saw a pile of dirt that came out of a hole in the ground.

🎯 Exam Tip: Recall the opening scene of the story carefully to identify what Amir noticed first.

Question 2. What did the mole tell him?
Answer: The mole told Amir that it was digging a burrow to catch earthworms. It also said it would save these worms for the winter months. Moles are very good at planning ahead for food.
In simple words: The mole said it was digging to catch earthworms and save them for winter.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember the specific purpose the mole stated for its actions, especially its food storage methods.

Question 3. What was the ant carrying?
Answer: The ant was carrying a big leaf. Leafcutter ants are known for carrying large pieces of leaves back to their colony to grow fungus. It was a clear sign of their hard work.
In simple words: The ant was carrying a big leaf.

🎯 Exam Tip: Distinguish between the mole's actions and the ant's actions clearly to avoid confusion.

Question 4. What do the leafcutter ants drink?
Answer: The leafcutter ants drink the sap from leaves. This leaf sap provides them with essential nutrients. They don't eat the whole leaf, just the fluid inside.
In simple words: Leafcutter ants drink the sap that comes from leaves.

🎯 Exam Tip: Be precise with terminology, like 'leaf sap' instead of just 'water' or 'juice'.

Question 5. Did Amir change, after the interaction with the mole and the leafcutter ants?
Answer: Yes, Amir changed his ways after interacting with the mole and the leafcutter ants. He started to care more about saving resources around him and stopped his wasteful habits. This interaction taught him a valuable lesson.
In simple words: Yes, Amir changed his habits and started saving resources.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand the overall message of the story and how the main character's behavior evolves.

II. State True or False.

Question 1. We usually give importance to save money.
Answer: True. The story mentions that humans often prioritize saving money. However, it also highlights the importance of saving other resources.
In simple words: Yes, this is true. People often focus on saving money.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to generalized statements about human behavior within the story, even if they're not the main lesson.

Question 2. Amir saw the ant first.
Answer: False. Amir first encountered the mole. He saw the ant later, after his conversation with the mole. The order of events is important.
In simple words: No, this is false. Amir saw the mole before he saw the ant.

🎯 Exam Tip: Sequence of events questions test your understanding of the story's timeline.

Question 3. The mole eats all the earthworms.
Answer: False. The mole stated that it doesn't eat all the earthworms right away. It traps and paralyzes them to store them for later use, especially for winter. They plan for the future.
In simple words: No, this is false. The mole stores some worms for later, not eating all of them at once.

🎯 Exam Tip: Distinguish between immediate consumption and storage behaviors of animals when answering true/false questions.

Question 4. Near the mole's burrow, Amir saw a leaf moving.
Answer: True. After leaving the mole, Amir saw a leaf moving near its burrow. He then realized an ant was carrying it. This led him to the next interaction.
In simple words: Yes, this is true. Amir did see a leaf moving near the mole's home.

🎯 Exam Tip: Visualize the scenes from the story to correctly identify the details and their locations.

Question 5. The ant was collecting leaves for his colony.
Answer: True. The leafcutter ant explicitly stated that it was collecting leaves for its colony. These leaves are used to grow fungus, which is food for the ant and its community. Ants work for the good of their whole group.
In simple words: Yes, this is true. The ant was gathering leaves for its group.

🎯 Exam Tip: Connect the actions of characters to their motivation or purpose, especially in the context of animal societies.

A. Match the Following and Write the New Word.

Question 1. Pre - continue
Answer: Preview. The prefix 'pre-' means 'before', so 'preview' means to view something before. This word is often used for seeing a trailer of a movie.
In simple words: Matching 'pre' with 'continue' makes 'Preview', meaning to see something before.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand the meaning of common prefixes to correctly combine them with root words.

Question 2. Dis - familiar
Answer: Discontinue. The prefix 'dis-' means 'not' or 'opposite of', so 'discontinue' means to stop something. For example, a shop might discontinue a product.
In simple words: 'Dis' and 'continue' form 'Discontinue', which means to stop something.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to how prefixes change the meaning of the base word, often creating an opposite or negative sense.

Question 3. Un - open
Answer: Unfamiliar. The prefix 'un-' also means 'not' or 'opposite of', so 'unfamiliar' means not familiar or unknown. If you go to a new place, everything might feel unfamiliar.
In simple words: 'Un' and 'familiar' make 'Unfamiliar', which means not known.

🎯 Exam Tip: Recognize that 'un-' is a common prefix used to negate or reverse the meaning of a word.

Question 4. re - view
Answer: Reopen. The prefix 're-' means 'again', so 'reopen' means to open again. A store might reopen after renovations. It implies a repeat action.
In simple words: 'Re' and 'open' make 'Reopen', meaning to open something again.

🎯 Exam Tip: The prefix 're-' is always about doing something a second time or repeating an action.

B. Tick in the Correct Prefix and Write the New Word.

Question 1. (un) (pre) happy
Answer: Unhappy. The correct prefix is 'un-' because it means 'not happy'. 'Prehappy' is not a real word. 'Unhappy' describes a feeling of sadness.
In simple words: The correct word is 'Unhappy', because 'un' means not.

🎯 Exam Tip: Choose the prefix that makes a common and meaningful word in English.

Question 2. (dis) (pre) read
Answer: Preread. The correct prefix is 'pre-' because it means 'to read before'. 'Disread' is not a common English word. 'Preread' helps you understand content better.
In simple words: The correct word is 'Preread', meaning to read something before.

🎯 Exam Tip: Consider if the prefix creates an action that occurs 'before' (pre-) or 'not' (dis-).

Question 3. (re) (dis) honest
Answer: Dishonest. The correct prefix is 'dis-' because it means 'not honest'. 'Rehonest' is not a recognized word. 'Dishonest' describes someone who is not truthful.
In simple words: The correct word is 'Dishonest', meaning not honest.

🎯 Exam Tip: Think about the common adjectives that describe character traits and which prefix negates them.

Question 4. (un) (re) mix
Answer: Remix. The correct prefix is 're-' because it means 'to mix again'. 'Unmix' is not a standard term. A 'remix' is often a new version of a song.
In simple words: The correct word is 'Remix', meaning to mix something again.

🎯 Exam Tip: Consider actions that can be repeated (re-) versus negated (un-, dis-).

C. Add a Prefix to Each Word So it Matches the New Definitions.
prefix: un, re, dis, pre
word: lucky, check, view, approve

Question 1. Make sure the things are correct ______
Answer: Recheck. To make sure things are correct, you need to 'recheck' them, meaning to check them again. This is important for accuracy.
In simple words: To make sure things are correct, we 'recheck' them.

🎯 Exam Tip: Match the definition (check again) to the appropriate prefix ('re-').

Question 2. A person who got no luck ______
Answer: Unlucky. A person who got no luck is 'unlucky', meaning they are not lucky. This often describes a situation where things don't go well.
In simple words: A person with no luck is called 'Unlucky'.

🎯 Exam Tip: The prefix 'un-' is commonly used to form the opposite of adjectives like 'lucky'.

Question 3. Do not approve ______
Answer: Disapprove. To 'disapprove' means to not approve or to show that you don't like something. This is often used when someone disagrees with an action or idea.
In simple words: To not approve means to 'Disapprove'.

🎯 Exam Tip: The prefix 'dis-' often means 'not' or 'opposite of', which fits the definition 'do not approve'.

Question 4. A chance to view before ______
Answer: Preview. A chance to view something before it's fully released or completed is a 'preview'. This is common in movies or books. It lets you see a glimpse of what's coming.
In simple words: A chance to view something before is called a 'Preview'.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that 'pre-' indicates something happening 'before' another event.