Chapter 4 of 9
Chapter 4: The Cap-Seller and the Monkeys
Classic Folktale: Cleverness, Animal Mimicry & Problem Solving | CBSE Session 2026–27
Core Pedagogical Competencies & Concepts
- Story comprehension: sequence of events and problem-solution.
- Understanding monkey behavior: imitation and mimicry.
- Moral of clever thinking in difficult situations.
All Textbook Exercises & In-Text Tasks (17 Questions)
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Q1
Reading Comprehension • Story Details
What did the cap-seller carry in his basket to sell in the village?
[1 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Answer:
The cap-seller carried many colourful caps in his basket (red, blue, green, and yellow caps).
The cap-seller carried many colourful caps in his basket (red, blue, green, and yellow caps).
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Colourful caps in basket
1 M
Q2
Reading Comprehension • Setting
Why did the cap-seller sit down under a large banyan tree?
[1 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Answer:
He was tired and sleepy after walking in the hot sun, so he sat in the cool shade to take a rest.
He was tired and sleepy after walking in the hot sun, so he sat in the cool shade to take a rest.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Tired/sleepy and rested in cool shade
1 M
Q3
Reading Comprehension • Characters
Who lived on the branches of the big banyan tree?
[1 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Answer:
A group of naughty, playful monkeys lived on the branches of the tree.
A group of naughty, playful monkeys lived on the branches of the tree.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Playful monkeys
1 M
Q4
Reading Comprehension • Plot
What did the monkeys do while the cap-seller was fast asleep?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Answer:
The monkeys climbed down quietly, took all the caps from the basket, put them on their heads, and climbed back up!
The monkeys climbed down quietly, took all the caps from the basket, put them on their heads, and climbed back up!
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Took caps from basket
1 M
Wore them on heads on the tree
1 M
Q5
Reading Comprehension • Conflict
What did the cap-seller see when he woke up from his nap?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Answer:
He saw that his basket was completely empty and all the monkeys on the tree were wearing his caps!
He saw that his basket was completely empty and all the monkeys on the tree were wearing his caps!
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Empty basket
1 M
Monkeys wearing his caps
1 M
Q6
Reading Comprehension • Action
What did the cap-seller do when he got angry and shouted at the monkeys?
[1 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Answer:
He shouted, shook his fist, and stamped his feet at the monkeys.
He shouted, shook his fist, and stamped his feet at the monkeys.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Shouted and shook his fist
1 M
Q7
Reading Comprehension • Monkey Behavior
What did the monkeys do when the cap-seller shook his fist at them?
[1 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Answer:
The monkeys copied him! They also shook their fists and chattered back at him.
The monkeys copied him! They also shook their fists and chattered back at him.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Copied him and shook fists
1 M
Q8
Reading Comprehension • Resolution
How did the clever cap-seller finally get his caps back?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Answer:
The cap-seller took off his own cap and threw it down on the ground. The monkeys copied him immediately and threw all their caps down too!
The cap-seller took off his own cap and threw it down on the ground. The monkeys copied him immediately and threw all their caps down too!
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Threw his own cap down
1 M
Monkeys copied and threw all caps
1 M
Q9
Let us Listen • Animal Sounds
What sound do monkeys make when they chatter in the trees?
[1 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Answer:
Monkeys make a 'Chatter, chatter! Whoop, whoop!' sound.
Monkeys make a 'Chatter, chatter! Whoop, whoop!' sound.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Chatter chatter sound
1 M
Q10
Let us Listen • Rhyming Words
Find words that rhyme with 'cap': Name three words.
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Answer:
Words rhyming with cap: map, tap, nap, clap, trap.
Words rhyming with cap: map, tap, nap, clap, trap.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Two or three accurate rhyming words
2 M
Q11
Let us Write • Sequencing
Arrange the story events in correct sequence (1 to 4):
(A) Monkeys took the caps.
(B) Cap-seller fell asleep under a tree.
(C) Cap-seller collected the caps and went away happily.
(D) Cap-seller threw his cap on the ground.
[2 Marks]
(A) Monkeys took the caps.
(B) Cap-seller fell asleep under a tree.
(C) Cap-seller collected the caps and went away happily.
(D) Cap-seller threw his cap on the ground.
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Answer:
1. (B) Cap-seller fell asleep under a tree.
2. (A) Monkeys took the caps.
3. (D) Cap-seller threw his cap on the ground.
4. (C) Cap-seller collected the caps and went away happily.
1. (B) Cap-seller fell asleep under a tree.
2. (A) Monkeys took the caps.
3. (D) Cap-seller threw his cap on the ground.
4. (C) Cap-seller collected the caps and went away happily.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Correct order B -> A -> D -> C
2 M
Q12
Let us Write • Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks with correct words from the story:
(a) The cap-seller rested under a _______ (banyan tree / stone).
(b) The monkeys liked to _______ (copy / bite) the man.
[2 Marks]
(a) The cap-seller rested under a _______ (banyan tree / stone).
(b) The monkeys liked to _______ (copy / bite) the man.
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Answer:
(a) The cap-seller rested under a banyan tree.
(b) The monkeys liked to copy the man.
(a) The cap-seller rested under a banyan tree.
(b) The monkeys liked to copy the man.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
banyan tree
1 M
copy
1 M
Q13
Let us Write • Opposites
Match the words with their opposites:
1. Sleep (A) Sad
2. Full (B) Empty
3. Happy (C) Wake up
[2 Marks]
1. Sleep (A) Sad
2. Full (B) Empty
3. Happy (C) Wake up
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Answer:
• 1. Sleep → (C) Wake up
• 2. Full → (B) Empty
• 3. Happy → (A) Sad
• 1. Sleep → (C) Wake up
• 2. Full → (B) Empty
• 3. Happy → (A) Sad
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
All 3 opposites correctly matched
2 M
Q14
Let us Write • Missing Letters
Complete the spelling of these story words:
(a) M _ N K _ Y
(b) B _ S K _ T
(c) C _ P
[3 Marks]
(a) M _ N K _ Y
(b) B _ S K _ T
(c) C _ P
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Answer:
(a) M O N K E Y (MONKEY)
(b) B A S K E T (BASKET)
(c) C A P (CAP)
(a) M O N K E Y (MONKEY)
(b) B A S K E T (BASKET)
(c) C A P (CAP)
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
MONKEY
1 M
BASKET
1 M
CAP
1 M
Q15
Think and Share • Story Moral
What lesson do we learn from the story of the cap-seller and the monkeys?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Answer:
We learn that wisdom and calm thinking can solve tricky problems better than getting angry.
We learn that wisdom and calm thinking can solve tricky problems better than getting angry.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Wisdom/calm thinking solves problems
2 M
Q16
True or False • Story Facts
State True or False:
(a) The monkeys gave the caps back as soon as the cap-seller politely asked them.
(b) Monkeys are known to imitate what humans do.
[2 Marks]
(a) The monkeys gave the caps back as soon as the cap-seller politely asked them.
(b) Monkeys are known to imitate what humans do.
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Answer:
(a) False. The monkeys did not give them back until copied.
(b) True. Monkeys are known to imitate actions.
(a) False. The monkeys did not give them back until copied.
(b) True. Monkeys are known to imitate actions.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
(a) False
1 M
(b) True
1 M
Q17
Let us Speak • Creative Expression
If you were the cap-seller, what would you have done to get your caps back?
[1 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Answer:
I would offer the monkeys bananas to drop the caps, or do the same clever trick of throwing down my hat!
I would offer the monkeys bananas to drop the caps, or do the same clever trick of throwing down my hat!
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Reasonable creative answer
1 M
🌟 NEP 2020 Competency-Based Case Study
Under the Banyan Tree
A tired cap-seller placed his bag of red, blue, and green caps under a banyan tree and fell asleep. Mischievous monkeys living on the tree branches climbed down and each took a colourful cap.
Analytical Task: Where did the cap-seller keep his bag? What did the monkeys do while he was sleeping?
Evaluation & Model Answer:
1. The cap-seller kept his bag under the big banyan tree.
2. The monkeys climbed down, opened the bag, took the caps, and wore them on their heads.
2. The monkeys climbed down, opened the bag, took the caps, and wore them on their heads.
Rubric: 1 M for under the tree + 1 M for wearing caps