Chapter 1 of 10
Chapter 1: Wake Up! & Neha's Alarm Clock
Poem by C. Fletcher & Classic Story on Internal Biological Clock and Waking Up Joyfully | CBSE Session 2026–27
Core Pedagogical Competencies & Concepts
- Poem 'Wake Up!': Singing birds, buzzing bees, morning breeze, washing and getting ready early.
- Story 'Neha's Alarm Clock': Neha's wish for the clock to forget its ring, chirping birds, warm morning sunbeam.
- The discovery: Even when the clock is broken and birds are quiet, the body's internal biological clock wakes us on time.
- Grammar: Past continuous tense (was/were + verb-ing), opposites, and daily routine vocabulary.
All Textbook Exercises & In-Text Tasks (14 Questions)
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Q1
Reading is Fun • Poem 'Wake Up!'
What do you think birds say to each other in the morning according to the poem? Name four creatures who wake up before the child does.
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
In the morning, the birds chirping on the green branches say 'Good morning! Wake up and enjoy this lovely day!' to each other.
Four creatures who wake up early before the child does are:
1. The singing birds in the trees.
2. The buzzing bees in the flowers.
3. The cows, horses, and ducks on the farm.
4. The tiny chirping chickens.
Four creatures who wake up early before the child does are:
1. The singing birds in the trees.
2. The buzzing bees in the flowers.
3. The cows, horses, and ducks on the farm.
4. The tiny chirping chickens.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Explains birds' morning greeting call
1.5 M
Names four early-waking animals/birds accurately
1.5 M
Q2
Reading is Fun • 'Neha's Alarm Clock'
Answer the following from 'Neha's Alarm Clock': (a) What time did Neha's clock ring every morning? (b) What did the birds say to Neha? (c) What is the 'clock inside you' that mother explains to Neha?
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
(a) Neha's alarm clock rang at 6 o'clock every single morning.
(b) The tiny birds that came to the window sill chirped warmly: 'Wake up! Wake up, fast! You will miss the school bus!'
(c) Mother explained that every human body has a natural internal biological body clock. This natural rhythm subconsciously monitors our daily routine and signals our mind when it is time to wake up, when to feel hungry for lunch, and when to feel sleepy at night.
(b) The tiny birds that came to the window sill chirped warmly: 'Wake up! Wake up, fast! You will miss the school bus!'
(c) Mother explained that every human body has a natural internal biological body clock. This natural rhythm subconsciously monitors our daily routine and signals our mind when it is time to wake up, when to feel hungry for lunch, and when to feel sleepy at night.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Mentions 6 o'clock and birds' morning call
1.5 M
Explains mother's description of natural internal body clock
1.5 M
Q3
Word Building • Past Tense 'was' or 'were'
Fill in the blanks with 'was' or 'were': (a) The cows, horses, and sheep ___ grazing in the meadow. (b) The little alarm clock ___ ticking on the side table. (c) The birds ___ singing melodiously in the green trees. (d) Neha ___ smiling happily under her blanket.
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
(a) The cows, horses, and sheep were grazing in the meadow. (Plural subject uses 'were').
(b) The little alarm clock was ticking on the side table. (Singular subject uses 'was').
(c) The birds were singing melodiously in the green trees. (Plural subject uses 'were').
(d) Neha was smiling happily under her blanket. (Singular subject uses 'was').
(b) The little alarm clock was ticking on the side table. (Singular subject uses 'was').
(c) The birds were singing melodiously in the green trees. (Plural subject uses 'were').
(d) Neha was smiling happily under her blanket. (Singular subject uses 'was').
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Correct grammatical selection for all 4 blanks (0.5 M each)
2.0 M
Q4
Talk Time • Morning Routine
What is your morning routine? List four activities you do in sequence after getting out of bed to reach school on time.
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
1. Brushing & Washing: Brush teeth thoroughly and wash face with cool water to feel alert and fresh.
2. Morning Bath: Take a refreshing bath and dress neatly in clean, ironed school uniform and polished shoes.
3. Nutritious Breakfast: Eat a wholesome breakfast like warm porridge, milk, or idlis with parents.
4. Bag Verification: Check the school timetable to verify that all required notebooks, textbooks, and water bottle are packed.
2. Morning Bath: Take a refreshing bath and dress neatly in clean, ironed school uniform and polished shoes.
3. Nutritious Breakfast: Eat a wholesome breakfast like warm porridge, milk, or idlis with parents.
4. Bag Verification: Check the school timetable to verify that all required notebooks, textbooks, and water bottle are packed.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Four logical morning sequential steps described clearly
3.0 M
Q5
Reading is Fun • Poem Comprehension
In Unit 1 ('Wake Up! & Neha's Alarm Clock'), what is the central event in the poem, and what sounds of nature wake the morning world?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Nature & Morning Sounds:
The poem celebrates the break of dawn. Nature awakens with the singing of birds in the trees, the buzzing of honeybees in flower beds, and the gentle morning breeze rustling through green leaves.
The poem celebrates the break of dawn. Nature awakens with the singing of birds in the trees, the buzzing of honeybees in flower beds, and the gentle morning breeze rustling through green leaves.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Awakening of nature described
1 M
Specific sounds (birds, bees) identified
1 M
Q6
Reading is Fun • Story Comprehension
In the prose section of Unit 1, how does the main character overcome self-doubt or an unusual dilemma?
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Character Insight:
The character realizes that each individual is uniquely gifted and comparison with others leads to unnecessary unhappiness. With encouragement from loved ones, the character learns self-acceptance and confidence.
The character realizes that each individual is uniquely gifted and comparison with others leads to unnecessary unhappiness. With encouragement from loved ones, the character learns self-acceptance and confidence.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Dilemma identified
1.5 M
Resolution through self-acceptance explained
1.5 M
Q7
Word Building • Antonyms
Find antonyms (opposites) for: (a) Tiny (b) Defeat (c) Selfish (d) Proud.
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Antonyms:
• (a) Tiny — Huge / Enormous.
• (b) Defeat — Victory / Win.
• (c) Selfish — Generous / Selfless.
• (d) Proud — Humble / Modest.
• (a) Tiny — Huge / Enormous.
• (b) Defeat — Victory / Win.
• (c) Selfish — Generous / Selfless.
• (d) Proud — Humble / Modest.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
All 4 opposites correct
2 M
Q8
Let us Write • Creative Expressions
Write two sentences describing how trees help birds, animals, and human beings as depicted in 'Wake Up! & Neha's Alarm Clock'.
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Importance of Trees:
Trees provide delicious fruits, oxygen, and cool shade for human beings and grazing animals. They also offer safe nesting spots and shelter for hundreds of birds and small forest creatures.
Trees provide delicious fruits, oxygen, and cool shade for human beings and grazing animals. They also offer safe nesting spots and shelter for hundreds of birds and small forest creatures.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Benefits to humans and wildlife clearly stated
2 M
Q9
Grammar & Language • Conjunctions (and, but, because)
Join the pairs of sentences using 'and', 'but', or 'because':
(a) She ran fast. She missed the school bus.
(b) We stayed inside. It was raining heavily.
[2 Marks]
(a) She ran fast. She missed the school bus.
(b) We stayed inside. It was raining heavily.
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Joined Sentences:
• (a) She ran fast, but she missed the school bus.
• (b) We stayed inside because it was raining heavily.
• (a) She ran fast, but she missed the school bus.
• (b) We stayed inside because it was raining heavily.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Correct use of 'but'
1 M
Correct use of 'because'
1 M
Q10
Talk Time • Imagination & Empathy
If animals and trees could speak our language, what important advice would they give to humans?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Imaginative Advice:
They would urge humans to stop cutting down green forests, keep water bodies clean from plastic pollution, and treat every living creature with care and kindness.
They would urge humans to stop cutting down green forests, keep water bodies clean from plastic pollution, and treat every living creature with care and kindness.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Thoughtful, empathetic environmental message
2 M
Q11
Vocabulary • Rhyming Couplets
Find two rhyming word pairs from the poem in Unit 1.
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Rhyming Pairs:
1. Bed - Head (rhyming sound '-ed').
2. Day - Play (rhyming sound '-ay').
1. Bed - Head (rhyming sound '-ed').
2. Day - Play (rhyming sound '-ay').
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Two valid rhyming pairs with sounds identified
2 M
Q12
Grammar • Subject and Predicate
Divide the sentence into Subject and Predicate: 'The little fir tree stood proudly in the green forest.'
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Sentence Division:
• Subject: The little fir tree
• Predicate: stood proudly in the green forest.
• Subject: The little fir tree
• Predicate: stood proudly in the green forest.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Subject correctly identified
1 M
Predicate correctly identified
1 M
Q13
Think & Discuss • Life Lessons
What is the core moral lesson of Unit 1 ('Wake Up! & Neha's Alarm Clock')?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Moral Lesson:
True happiness comes from gratitude, generosity, and valuing our natural surroundings. Greed and vanity only bring discontentment.
True happiness comes from gratitude, generosity, and valuing our natural surroundings. Greed and vanity only bring discontentment.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Clear moral lesson with supporting detail
2 M
Q14
Review Questions • True or False
State True or False:
(a) Nasruddin was famous among his friends for boasting about his archery skills.
(b) Giving without expecting anything in return is true kindness.
(c) A question mark is placed at the end of an assertive sentence.
[3 Marks]
(a) Nasruddin was famous among his friends for boasting about his archery skills.
(b) Giving without expecting anything in return is true kindness.
(c) A question mark is placed at the end of an assertive sentence.
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Answers:
• (a) True: Nasruddin boasted about his aim.
• (b) True: Selfless giving is the highest virtue.
• (c) False: An assertive sentence ends with a full stop, not a question mark.
• (a) True: Nasruddin boasted about his aim.
• (b) True: Selfless giving is the highest virtue.
• (c) False: An assertive sentence ends with a full stop, not a question mark.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
True, True, False with explanations
3 M
🌟 NEP 2020 Competency-Based Case Study
Circadian Rhythm and Sleep Hygiene
Medical doctors explain that staying up late looking at bright tablet screens confuses the brain's pineal gland, delaying the release of melatonin (the sleep hormone) and making it difficult to wake up feeling refreshed at 6 AM.
Analytical Task: How does medical science support the mother's explanation of the 'internal body clock' in Neha's Alarm Clock? State two healthy bedtime habits.
Evaluation & Model Answer:
Scientific Connection: Mother's advice reflects the biological circadian rhythm. Our brain naturally adjusts to cycles of daylight and dark. When regular sleep schedules are maintained, the internal body clock automatically wakes us on time even without mechanical alarms.
Two Healthy Habits:
1. Screen-Free Hour: Shutting off all phones, tablets, and TVs at least 45 minutes before sleep.
2. Consistent Bedtime: Going to sleep at the exact same hour every night to train the body clock.
Two Healthy Habits:
1. Screen-Free Hour: Shutting off all phones, tablets, and TVs at least 45 minutes before sleep.
2. Consistent Bedtime: Going to sleep at the exact same hour every night to train the body clock.
Rubric: 1 Mark for connecting circadian rhythm to the story; 1 Mark for two valid sleep hygiene protocols.