Chapter 2: Counting in Groups
Look and Guess Numbers, Pairs, and More or Less | CBSE Session 2026–27
Core Pedagogical Competencies & Concepts
- Grouping objects in twos, threes, and fours to count faster without counting one by one.
- Understanding pairs (shoes, earrings, socks, gloves).
- Estimating quantities visually (more than / less than benchmarks).
- Ordinal numbers (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th) through the classic Turnip story.
All Textbook Exercises & In-Text Tasks (20 Questions)
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Q1
Textbook Exercise • Guess the Cups
Look at cups placed in a pyramid: 1 cup at the top row, 2 cups in the middle row, and 3 cups in the bottom row. Can you guess how many cups without counting one by one?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Calculation:
• Top row = 1 cup
• Middle row = 2 cups (1 + 2 = 3 cups)
• Bottom row = 3 cups
• Total cups = 3 + 3 = 6 cups.
• Top row = 1 cup
• Middle row = 2 cups (1 + 2 = 3 cups)
• Bottom row = 3 cups
• Total cups = 3 + 3 = 6 cups.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Row grouping method shown
1 M
Total 6 cups calculated
1 M
Q2
Textbook Exercise • Pairs of Shoes
There are 3 lines of shoes on a rack. Each line has 3 pairs of shoes. How many pairs of shoes are there? How many individual shoes in total?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Calculation:
1. Number of pairs = 3 rows × 3 pairs = 9 pairs.
2. Since each pair has 2 shoes: 9 × 2 = 18 individual shoes.
1. Number of pairs = 3 rows × 3 pairs = 9 pairs.
2. Since each pair has 2 shoes: 9 × 2 = 18 individual shoes.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Number of pairs (9)
1 M
Total individual shoes (18)
1 M
Q3
Textbook Exercise • Groups of Spoons
Look at 4 groups of spoons. Each group has 6 spoons. Guess the total number of spoons.
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Calculation:
• Number of groups = 4
• Spoons in each group = 6
• Total spoons = 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 = 24 spoons.
• Number of groups = 4
• Spoons in each group = 6
• Total spoons = 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 = 24 spoons.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Addition or multiplication shown
1 M
Correct total 24 spoons
1 M
Q4
Textbook Guessing • More or Less?
Tick (More than / Less than) for each of the following:
(a) Number of teeth in your mouth: More than 40 OR Less than 40?
(b) Number of seeds in an orange: More than 50 OR Less than 50?
[2 Marks]
(a) Number of teeth in your mouth: More than 40 OR Less than 40?
(b) Number of seeds in an orange: More than 50 OR Less than 50?
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Answers:
(a) Number of teeth in a 7-year-old child's mouth is about 20: Less than 40.
(b) An orange typically has 8 to 15 seeds: Less than 50.
(a) Number of teeth in a 7-year-old child's mouth is about 20: Less than 40.
(b) An orange typically has 8 to 15 seeds: Less than 50.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Teeth: Less than 40
1 M
Orange seeds: Less than 50
1 M
Q5
Textbook Guessing • More or Less Part 2
Circle the correct choice:
(a) Number of matchsticks in a standard matchbox: More than 30 OR Less than 30?
(b) Number of pencils in your whole classroom: More than 45 OR Less than 45?
[2 Marks]
(a) Number of matchsticks in a standard matchbox: More than 30 OR Less than 30?
(b) Number of pencils in your whole classroom: More than 45 OR Less than 45?
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Answers:
(a) A matchbox contains around 40 to 50 sticks: More than 30.
(b) In a class of 30 students, if each child has 2 pencils, total = 60 pencils: More than 45.
(a) A matchbox contains around 40 to 50 sticks: More than 30.
(b) In a class of 30 students, if each child has 2 pencils, total = 60 pencils: More than 45.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Matchbox: More than 30
1 M
Pencils: More than 45
1 M
Q6
Physical Activity • Hop Till You Drop
Aman hopped on his right foot 7 times without falling. Ritu hopped on her left foot 9 times without falling. Who hopped more times, and by how many hops?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Solution:
• Aman's hops = 7
• Ritu's hops = 9
• Since 9 > 7, Ritu hopped more times.
• Difference = 9 - 7 = 2 hops more.
• Aman's hops = 7
• Ritu's hops = 9
• Since 9 > 7, Ritu hopped more times.
• Difference = 9 - 7 = 2 hops more.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Ritu identified
1 M
Difference of 2 hops calculated
1 M
Q7
Join the Dots • Bhurru Dog Puzzle
In the NCERT puzzle, Bhurru dog is hungry and joins dots from number 21 to 52 in order. What number comes immediately after 38? What number comes immediately before 50?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Answer:
• Successor (number after) 38 = 38 + 1 = 39.
• Predecessor (number before) 50 = 50 - 1 = 49.
• Successor (number after) 38 = 38 + 1 = 39.
• Predecessor (number before) 50 = 50 - 1 = 49.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Number after 38: 39
1 M
Number before 50: 49
1 M
Q8
Story Application • The Pulling Team
In the Big Turnip story, how many pulled before the cat came? Which position was the cat in?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Answer:
• Before the cat came, 4 characters were pulling (Old man, Grandmother, Granddaughter, and Dog).
• The cat came in at the 5th position.
• Before the cat came, 4 characters were pulling (Old man, Grandmother, Granddaughter, and Dog).
• The cat came in at the 5th position.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
4 characters before cat
1 M
Cat in 5th position
1 M
Q9
Story Analysis • Who Helped Most?
Why was the tiny mouse important even though it was the smallest character pulling the turnip?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Explanation:
• Even though the other five characters pulled with great strength, the turnip did not come out.
• The mouse provided the exact extra pulling force needed to overcome the soil resistance. Every small contribution matters in teamwork!
• Even though the other five characters pulled with great strength, the turnip did not come out.
• The mouse provided the exact extra pulling force needed to overcome the soil resistance. Every small contribution matters in teamwork!
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Extra team force explained
1 M
Teamwork value highlighted
1 M
Q10
Grouping by Fives • Star Stickers
Pooja has 5 sheets of star stickers. Each sheet has 5 stars. How many star stickers does Pooja have in all?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Calculation:
• Number of sheets = 5
• Stars on each sheet = 5
• Total stars = 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 = 25 stars.
• Number of sheets = 5
• Stars on each sheet = 5
• Total stars = 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 = 25 stars.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Repeated addition 5+5+5+5+5 shown
1 M
Total 25 stars correct
1 M
Q11
Earring Pairs
Anu's mother has 8 pairs of gold earrings in her jewellery box. How many single earrings are there altogether?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Calculation:
• 1 pair = 2 earrings
• 8 pairs = 8 × 2 = 16 earrings.
• 1 pair = 2 earrings
• 8 pairs = 8 × 2 = 16 earrings.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
1 pair = 2 earrings recognized
1 M
Total 16 earrings calculated
1 M
Q12
Estimation Check • Marbles in a Jar
Kabir estimates there are 30 marbles in a glass jar. When counted, there are 27 marbles. Was Kabir's guess close? How far off was his guess?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Solution:
• Kabir's guess = 30
• Actual count = 27
• Difference = 30 - 27 = 3 marbles.
• Yes, Kabir's estimation was very close (only off by 3).
• Kabir's guess = 30
• Actual count = 27
• Difference = 30 - 27 = 3 marbles.
• Yes, Kabir's estimation was very close (only off by 3).
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Difference of 3 calculated
1 M
Valid estimation conclusion
1 M
Q13
Grouping by Tens • Bangle Bundles
A bangle seller ties bangles into bundles of 10. If he has 6 bundles and 4 single bangles, how many bangles does he have in all?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Calculation:
• 6 bundles of 10 = 6 × 10 = 60 bangles
• 4 single bangles = 4 bangles
• Total bangles = 60 + 4 = 64 bangles.
• 6 bundles of 10 = 6 × 10 = 60 bangles
• 4 single bangles = 4 bangles
• Total bangles = 60 + 4 = 64 bangles.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
6 bundles = 60 bangles
1 M
Total 64 bangles calculated
1 M
Q14
Ordinal Position • Sports Day Race
In a 50-metre race: Yash crossed the ribbon first, Tina second, Aryan third, and Deepa fourth. Who won the bronze medal (3rd place)?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Answer:
• 1st place (Gold) = Yash
• 2nd place (Silver) = Tina
• 3rd place (Bronze) = Aryan.
• 1st place (Gold) = Yash
• 2nd place (Silver) = Tina
• 3rd place (Bronze) = Aryan.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Identifies Aryan as 3rd place
1 M
Associates 3rd with Bronze medal
1 M
Q15
Quick Mental Math
Count by 2s up to 16: 2, 4, 6, _, _, _, _, 16.
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Solution:
Adding 2 at each step:
2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16.
Adding 2 at each step:
2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
All 4 missing numbers correct (8, 10, 12, 14)
2 M
Q16
Visual Comparison • Group Density
Group A has 4 plates with 2 samosas on each plate. Group B has 2 plates with 5 samosas on each plate. Which group has more samosas?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Calculation:
• Group A = 4 plates × 2 samosas = 8 samosas.
• Group B = 2 plates × 5 samosas = 10 samosas.
• Since 10 > 8, Group B has more samosas (by 2 samosas).
• Group A = 4 plates × 2 samosas = 8 samosas.
• Group B = 2 plates × 5 samosas = 10 samosas.
• Since 10 > 8, Group B has more samosas (by 2 samosas).
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Totals 8 and 10 calculated
1 M
Group B identified as having more
1 M
Q17
Conceptual Understanding • Why Group?
Why is counting in groups faster than counting one item at a time?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Step-by-Step Explanation:
1. Grouping allows us to count chunks (such as 2, 4, 6, 8 or 10, 20, 30) instead of making individual counts.
2. It reduces the chance of skipping items or double-counting, saving time and improving accuracy.
1. Grouping allows us to count chunks (such as 2, 4, 6, 8 or 10, 20, 30) instead of making individual counts.
2. It reduces the chance of skipping items or double-counting, saving time and improving accuracy.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Chunk counting speed explained
1 M
Error reduction explained
1 M
Q18
True or False
State True or False:
(a) A pair of socks always contains 3 socks.
(b) 5 groups of 2 equals 10.
[2 Marks]
(a) A pair of socks always contains 3 socks.
(b) 5 groups of 2 equals 10.
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Answers:
(a) False. A pair always contains exactly 2 socks.
(b) True. 5 × 2 = 10.
(a) False. A pair always contains exactly 2 socks.
(b) True. 5 × 2 = 10.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
(a) False with reason
1 M
(b) True
1 M
Q19
Textbook Activity • Guessing Cups
Look at the cups arranged in a triangle: 1 on top, 2 below, and 3 at the bottom. Guess how many cups there are in all without counting one by one.
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Answer:
• 1 + 2 + 3 = 6 cups in total.
• Grouping: (1 + 2 = 3) and (3 + 3 = 6).
• 1 + 2 + 3 = 6 cups in total.
• Grouping: (1 + 2 = 3) and (3 + 3 = 6).
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Addition of layers 1+2+3
1 M
Final count: 6 cups
1 M
Q20
Textbook Activity • Hop Till You Drop
In the game 'Hop Till You Drop', Rohit hopped 8 times on his right foot before falling. On his left foot, he hopped 6 times. Which foot had more hops and by how many?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Calculation:
• Right foot hops = 8
• Left foot hops = 6
• Right foot had more hops by 8 - 6 = 2 hops.
• Right foot hops = 8
• Left foot hops = 6
• Right foot had more hops by 8 - 6 = 2 hops.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Right foot identified
1 M
Difference = 2 hops
1 M
🌟 NEP 2020 Competency-Based Case Study
The Big Turnip Story (Ordinal Numbers)
An old man planted a turnip seed. It grew huge! Grandfather pulled first. Then Grandmother held him. Then Granddaughter held Grandmother. Then the pet dog held Granddaughter. Then the cat held the dog. Finally, the little mouse held the cat. With one mighty tug, POP! Up came the big turnip!
Analytical Task: How many actors pulled the turnip in total? Who was at the 3rd position, and who was at the 6th position?
Evaluation & Model Answer:
1. Total actors = 6 (Old man, Grandmother, Granddaughter, Dog, Cat, Mouse).
2. The actor at the 3rd position was the Granddaughter.
3. The actor at the 6th position was the Mouse.
2. The actor at the 3rd position was the Granddaughter.
3. The actor at the 6th position was the Mouse.
Rubric: 1 M for total count (6) + 1 M for 3rd position + 1 M for 6th position