Chapter 6 of 12
Chapter 6: Paper Boats
Rabindranath Tagore's Poem, Monsoon Puddles, Distant Lands & Innocent Dreams | CBSE Session 2026–27
Core Pedagogical Competencies & Concepts
- Appreciating Rabindranath Tagore's poetic masterpiece 'Paper Boats'.
- Writing one's name and village on boats to send messages to distant lands.
- Loading boats with Shiuli flowers blooming in the dawn.
- Metaphor of white bulging clouds racing with the paper boats.
All Textbook Exercises & In-Text Tasks (17 Questions)
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Q1
Let us Think • Poetry Analysis
In Rabindranath Tagore's poem 'Paper Boats': (a) What does the child write on the paper boats? (b) What flowers does the child load into the boats, and why?
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Poetic Analysis:
• (a) Writing on boats: The child writes their name and the name of their village in big black letters, hoping someone in a strange distant land will find them and know who sent them.
• (b) Flower cargo: The child loads the boats with Shiuli blossoms gathered from the garden at dawn, hoping these blooms of the night will be safely ferried to land in the dark.
• (a) Writing on boats: The child writes their name and the name of their village in big black letters, hoping someone in a strange distant land will find them and know who sent them.
• (b) Flower cargo: The child loads the boats with Shiuli blossoms gathered from the garden at dawn, hoping these blooms of the night will be safely ferried to land in the dark.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Correct name and village writing explanation
1.5 M
Correct identification of Shiuli flowers and dawn harvest
1.5 M
Q2
Poetic Devices • Metaphor & Imagery
What does the child imagine about the clouds in the sky? How do the clouds relate to the paper boats?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Imagery Explanation:
The child looks up and sees little white clouds with bulging sails floating in the blue sky. The child imagines that an unseen playmate in the sky sends these cloud-ships down through the air to race with their own paper boats floating down the stream.
The child looks up and sees little white clouds with bulging sails floating in the blue sky. The child imagines that an unseen playmate in the sky sends these cloud-ships down through the air to race with their own paper boats floating down the stream.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Accurate description of cloud playmates and air racing
2.0 M
Q3
Hands-on Activity • Origami & Recycling
What kind of paper is best suited for making paper boats, and what should students do with wet paper boats after playing in rainwater puddles?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Activity & Eco-Awareness:
1. Suitable Paper: Used drawing sheets or scrap newspaper that hold folds firmly.
2. Environmental Responsibility: Wet paper boats should never be left to clog drains or litter roads. Once play is over, the soggy paper should be collected and deposited in a recycling or compost bin.
1. Suitable Paper: Used drawing sheets or scrap newspaper that hold folds firmly.
2. Environmental Responsibility: Wet paper boats should never be left to clog drains or litter roads. Once play is over, the soggy paper should be collected and deposited in a recycling or compost bin.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Identifies scrap/recycled paper
1.0 M
Emphasizes eco-cleanup and preventing clogged drains
1.0 M
Q4
Craft & Science • Paper Boats & Floating
In 'Paper Boats':
(a) What type of paper is best for making paper boats that do not sink quickly: thin tissue paper or thick glossy/waxed paper? Why?
(b) Write two things children write or draw on their paper boats before floating them in rain puddles.
[3 Marks]
(a) What type of paper is best for making paper boats that do not sink quickly: thin tissue paper or thick glossy/waxed paper? Why?
(b) Write two things children write or draw on their paper boats before floating them in rain puddles.
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Craft & Physics:
(a) Best Paper:
• Thick waxed or waterproof paper is best because it does not absorb water quickly. Thin tissue paper absorbs water immediately, turns soggy, and sinks.
(b) Writing on Paper Boats:
• Children write their own name and address/school, or draw a small flag or flower, hoping it sails safely to distant lands.
(a) Best Paper:
• Thick waxed or waterproof paper is best because it does not absorb water quickly. Thin tissue paper absorbs water immediately, turns soggy, and sinks.
(b) Writing on Paper Boats:
• Children write their own name and address/school, or draw a small flag or flower, hoping it sails safely to distant lands.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Correct paper choice with scientific reasoning (water absorption)
1.5 M
Two authentic details children write/draw on boats
1.5 M
Q5
Science Exploration • Sink or Float?
Classify the following items into 'Will Float on Water' and 'Will Sink in Water':
Dry leaf, Iron nail, Plastic bottle cap, Pebble, Wooden pencil, Glass marble.
[3 Marks]
Dry leaf, Iron nail, Plastic bottle cap, Pebble, Wooden pencil, Glass marble.
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Float or Sink Classification:
• Will Float on Water:
1. Dry leaf (Light, low density)
2. Plastic bottle cap
3. Wooden pencil (Wood floats)
• Will Sink in Water:
1. Iron nail (Heavy metal, high density)
2. Pebble (Dense stone)
3. Glass marble.
• Will Float on Water:
1. Dry leaf (Light, low density)
2. Plastic bottle cap
3. Wooden pencil (Wood floats)
• Will Sink in Water:
1. Iron nail (Heavy metal, high density)
2. Pebble (Dense stone)
3. Glass marble.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Correct floating items classified (3 items)
1.5 M
Correct sinking items classified (3 items)
1.5 M
Q6
Rhyming Words • 'Boats Sail on the Rivers'
Find the rhyming pair for each word:
(a) Sail $\rightarrow$ _____
(b) Sea $\rightarrow$ _____
(c) Cloud $\rightarrow$ _____
[3 Marks]
(a) Sail $\rightarrow$ _____
(b) Sea $\rightarrow$ _____
(c) Cloud $\rightarrow$ _____
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Rhyming Pairs:
• (a) Sail $\rightarrow$ Gale / Mail / Tail
• (b) Sea $\rightarrow$ Tree / Free / Me
• (c) Cloud $\rightarrow$ Loud / Proud
• (a) Sail $\rightarrow$ Gale / Mail / Tail
• (b) Sea $\rightarrow$ Tree / Free / Me
• (c) Cloud $\rightarrow$ Loud / Proud
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Valid rhyming words for all three prompts
3.0 M
Q7
Adjectives of Nature • Descriptive Writing
Fill in the blanks with suitable descriptive adjectives:
(a) The _____ (gentle / angry) breeze carried the paper boat downstream.
(b) The water in the mountain stream was _____ (crystal-clear / dirty).
[2 Marks]
(a) The _____ (gentle / angry) breeze carried the paper boat downstream.
(b) The water in the mountain stream was _____ (crystal-clear / dirty).
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Completed Sentences:
• (a) The gentle breeze carried the paper boat downstream.
• (b) The water in the mountain stream was crystal-clear.
• (a) The gentle breeze carried the paper boat downstream.
• (b) The water in the mountain stream was crystal-clear.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Correct adjective for (a): gentle
1.0 M
Correct adjective for (b): crystal-clear
1.0 M
Q8
Reading is Fun • Comprehension
In Chapter 6 ('Paper Boats'), what is the central theme of the story/poem? Summarize in two sentences.
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Summary:
The chapter highlights the joy of learning, friendship, and understanding the world around us. It inspires children to observe nature carefully and express their thoughts creatively.
The chapter highlights the joy of learning, friendship, and understanding the world around us. It inspires children to observe nature carefully and express their thoughts creatively.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Accurate central theme
1 M
Clear two-sentence summary
1 M
Q9
Talk Time • Classroom Discussion
Share your thoughts about 'Paper Boats': What was the most interesting part of the chapter, and why?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Response:
The most interesting part was when the characters discovered a creative solution to their problem through teamwork. It showed that working together makes difficult challenges simple and enjoyable.
The most interesting part was when the characters discovered a creative solution to their problem through teamwork. It showed that working together makes difficult challenges simple and enjoyable.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Specific part identified
1 M
Valid personal reason
1 M
Q10
Word Building • Vocabulary Enhancement
Find words from 'Paper Boats' that have similar meanings (synonyms) to: (a) Glad (b) Quick (c) Huge.
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Synonyms:
• (a) Glad — Happy / Joyful.
• (b) Quick — Fast / Rapid.
• (c) Huge — Big / Enormous.
• (a) Glad — Happy / Joyful.
• (b) Quick — Fast / Rapid.
• (c) Huge — Big / Enormous.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
All 3 synonyms correct
3 M
Q11
Let us Listen • Rhyme and Phonics
Identify rhyming pairs from the poem or text in 'Paper Boats'. Give two examples with their rhyming sounds.
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Rhyming Pairs:
1. Light - Night (rhyming sound '-ight').
2. Round - Sound (rhyming sound '-ound').
1. Light - Night (rhyming sound '-ight').
2. Round - Sound (rhyming sound '-ound').
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Two valid rhyming pairs
2 M
Q12
Grammar & Language • Prepositions
Fill in the blanks with in, on, or under:
(a) The bird sits ___ the branch.
(b) The water is ___ the jug.
(c) The tired dog rested ___ the shady tree.
[3 Marks]
(a) The bird sits ___ the branch.
(b) The water is ___ the jug.
(c) The tired dog rested ___ the shady tree.
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Prepositions:
• (a) on
• (b) in
• (c) under.
• (a) on
• (b) in
• (c) under.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
on, in, under correct
3 M
Q13
Let us Write • Sentence Formation
Rearrange the jumbled words to make a meaningful sentence: 'gives / warmth / the / sun / us / light / and'
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Correct Sentence:
The sun gives us light and warmth.
The sun gives us light and warmth.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Correct grammatical word order and punctuation
2 M
Q14
Vocabulary • Compound Words
Combine the two words to form a compound word:
(a) Sun + shine = ___
(b) Rain + bow = ___
(c) Class + room = ___.
[3 Marks]
(a) Sun + shine = ___
(b) Rain + bow = ___
(c) Class + room = ___.
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Compound Words:
• (a) Sun + shine = Sunshine
• (b) Rain + bow = Rainbow
• (c) Class + room = Classroom.
• (a) Sun + shine = Sunshine
• (b) Rain + bow = Rainbow
• (c) Class + room = Classroom.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Sunshine, Rainbow, Classroom
3 M
Q15
Creative Writing • Picture Description
Look at the illustration of 'Paper Boats' in your textbook and describe what the characters are doing in two sentences.
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Answer:
In the illustration, the children are gathered excitedly in a circle observing their project. Their smiling faces show how much fun they are having while learning together.
In the illustration, the children are gathered excitedly in a circle observing their project. Their smiling faces show how much fun they are having while learning together.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Description of character actions
1 M
Complete sentences
1 M
Q16
Think & Reflect • Value Question
What important value or moral lesson does 'Paper Boats' teach us?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Value Learned:
It teaches us perseverance, gratitude, and empathy towards people and nature around us. Being curious and kind makes our world a happier place.
It teaches us perseverance, gratitude, and empathy towards people and nature around us. Being curious and kind makes our world a happier place.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Clear moral/value stated with explanation
2 M
Q17
Review Time • True or False
State whether each statement is True or False based on 'Paper Boats':
(a) The main character solved the problem alone without any help.
(b) Practicing every day helps us become better at what we do.
(c) We should always be polite when speaking to others.
[3 Marks]
(a) The main character solved the problem alone without any help.
(b) Practicing every day helps us become better at what we do.
(c) We should always be polite when speaking to others.
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Answers:
• (a) False: Cooperation and teamwork were essential.
• (b) True: Practice builds skill and confidence.
• (c) True: Politeness and good manners are important.
• (a) False: Cooperation and teamwork were essential.
• (b) True: Practice builds skill and confidence.
• (c) True: Politeness and good manners are important.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
False, True, True with explanations
3 M
🌟 NEP 2020 Competency-Based Case Study
Cultural Heritage of Rabindranath Tagore
Rabindranath Tagore was a Nobel Prize-winning poet who wrote India's National Anthem, 'Jana Gana Mana', and founded Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan.
Analytical Task: How does Tagore's poetry encourage young children to connect with nature, simple toys, and universal human brotherhood?
Evaluation & Model Answer:
1. Tagore's poems celebrate simple natural wonders—rain streams, paper toys, flowers, and open skies—showing that immense happiness comes from imagination rather than expensive gadgets.
2. Sending paper boats to unknown children in faraway lands embodies his belief in universal love and peaceful connection among all human beings.
2. Sending paper boats to unknown children in faraway lands embodies his belief in universal love and peaceful connection among all human beings.
Rubric: 1.5M connection with natural imagination + 1.5M theme of universal brotherhood.