Chapter 1 of 12
Chapter 1: Together We Can
Inspirational Poem on Teamwork, Unity, Community Cooperation & National Progress | CBSE Session 2026–27
Core Pedagogical Competencies & Concepts
- The power of collective effort: how small individual actions combine to achieve great things.
- Metaphor of drops of water forming a mighty ocean and grains of sand creating pleasant land.
- Appreciating cultural diversity and working hand-in-hand for societal welfare.
- Poetic devices: rhyming words, rhythm, and motivational theme.
All Textbook Exercises & In-Text Tasks (15 Questions)
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Q1
Let us Think • Comprehension
What makes the mighty ocean according to the poem 'Together We Can'? How does the poet compare small acts of kindness to nature's elements?
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
According to the poem, little drops of water come together to form the mighty ocean, and tiny grains of sand combine to make the pleasant, fertile land.
The poet uses these natural examples to illustrate that no deed of kindness or cooperation is ever too small. Just as countless tiny drops create an immense ocean, small individual acts of love, honesty, and helpfulness by citizens join together to make our communities happy and our country great and prosperous.
The poet uses these natural examples to illustrate that no deed of kindness or cooperation is ever too small. Just as countless tiny drops create an immense ocean, small individual acts of love, honesty, and helpfulness by citizens join together to make our communities happy and our country great and prosperous.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Mentions little drops of water and grains of sand
1.5 M
Explains metaphor of individual kindness building a mighty society
1.5 M
Q2
Let us Think • Comprehension
What makes the earth like heaven above according to the poem?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
According to the poem, little deeds of kindness and little words of love make the earth happy and peaceful, transforming our world to resemble heaven above.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Identification of little deeds of kindness
1.0 M
Identification of words of love creating harmony
1.0 M
Q3
Let us Learn Words • Rhyming Words
Find pairs of rhyming words from the poem and use each in an original sentence: (a) Sand - Land, (b) Make - Take, (c) Love - Above.
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
(a) Sand - Land:
• Sand: The children built high castles with wet sand on the beach.
• Land: India is a blessed land of rivers, mountains, and colorful traditions.
(b) Make - Take:
• Make: Hard work and patience make all our dreams come true.
• Take: We should always take care of our grandparents when they are unwell.
(c) Love - Above:
• Love: A mother's unconditional love brings comfort to the family.
• Above: The bright morning sun shone high above the green hills.
• Sand: The children built high castles with wet sand on the beach.
• Land: India is a blessed land of rivers, mountains, and colorful traditions.
(b) Make - Take:
• Make: Hard work and patience make all our dreams come true.
• Take: We should always take care of our grandparents when they are unwell.
(c) Love - Above:
• Love: A mother's unconditional love brings comfort to the family.
• Above: The bright morning sun shone high above the green hills.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Correct pairs of rhyming words identified
1.5 M
Original and grammatically correct sentences
1.5 M
Q4
Let us Speak • Unity in Diversity
In the lesson, children from different states share their cultural greetings and festivals. Name any three traditional festivals celebrated across different regions of India and state one common value they all share.
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
1. Bihu (Assam): Celebrates the harvest season, nature's bounty, and gratitude through community dancing and feasts.
2. Pongal / Makar Sankranti (Tamil Nadu & North India): Honors the Sun God and farmers for nourishing crops.
3. Onam (Kerala): Commemorates King Mahabali with floral rangolis (Pookkalam) and community solidarity.
Common Value: All Indian festivals foster brotherhood, sharing food with the needy, respecting nature, and rejoicing in unity despite diverse languages.
2. Pongal / Makar Sankranti (Tamil Nadu & North India): Honors the Sun God and farmers for nourishing crops.
3. Onam (Kerala): Commemorates King Mahabali with floral rangolis (Pookkalam) and community solidarity.
Common Value: All Indian festivals foster brotherhood, sharing food with the needy, respecting nature, and rejoicing in unity despite diverse languages.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Three diverse regional harvest festivals named
1.5 M
Explanation of shared universal values of unity and gratitude
1.5 M
Q5
Let us Do • Teamwork Activity
Design a classroom 'Kindness Wall' activity. List three small acts of helpfulness that Class 4 students can carry out every day to support their classmates.
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Classroom Kindness Wall Procedure:
1. Sharing Learning Materials: Lending an extra pencil, eraser, or ruler to a benchmate who forgot theirs.
2. Welcoming & Assisting: Helping a classmate who missed school due to illness by sharing notebook notes and explaining missed lessons.
3. Keeping Surroundings Clean: Picking up paper scraps together after lunch and keeping classroom desks tidy without waiting for the helper.
1. Sharing Learning Materials: Lending an extra pencil, eraser, or ruler to a benchmate who forgot theirs.
2. Welcoming & Assisting: Helping a classmate who missed school due to illness by sharing notebook notes and explaining missed lessons.
3. Keeping Surroundings Clean: Picking up paper scraps together after lunch and keeping classroom desks tidy without waiting for the helper.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Three practical classroom cooperation deeds described
1.5 M
Clear emphasis on mutual empathy and inclusivity
1.5 M
Q6
Reading is Fun • Textual Understanding
In Chapter 1 ('Together We Can'), what is the central theme of the story/poem, and what challenges did the main character encounter?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Theme and Challenges:
The chapter highlights courage, curiosity, and creative problem-solving. The characters encounter an unexpected hurdle and successfully overcome it through teamwork, empathy, and active observation.
The chapter highlights courage, curiosity, and creative problem-solving. The characters encounter an unexpected hurdle and successfully overcome it through teamwork, empathy, and active observation.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Central theme explained
1 M
Challenge and resolution described
1 M
Q7
Talk Time • Speaking Skills
Discuss in your classroom: If you faced a similar situation to that in 'Together We Can', how would you handle it?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Response:
I would stay calm, discuss ideas with my friends or teachers, and break the difficult task into smaller manageable steps instead of panicking.
I would stay calm, discuss ideas with my friends or teachers, and break the difficult task into smaller manageable steps instead of panicking.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Thoughtful practical response
2 M
Q8
Word Building • Prefixes & Suffixes
Add suitable prefixes (un-, dis-, im-) or suffixes (-ful, -less) to create new words:
(a) Happy → ___
(b) Possible → ___
(c) Care → ___
(d) Agree → ___.
[2 Marks]
(a) Happy → ___
(b) Possible → ___
(c) Care → ___
(d) Agree → ___.
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Word Formation:
• (a) Happy + un- = Unhappy
• (b) Possible + im- = Impossible
• (c) Care + -ful / -less = Careful / Careless
• (d) Agree + dis- = Disagree.
• (a) Happy + un- = Unhappy
• (b) Possible + im- = Impossible
• (c) Care + -ful / -less = Careful / Careless
• (d) Agree + dis- = Disagree.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
All 4 word formations correct
2 M
Q9
Let us Listen • Sound Identification
Identify words in 'Together We Can' that have silent letters (e.g. 'k' in knight, 'w' in write). List three examples.
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Silent Letter Words:
1. Know (silent 'k')
2. Listen (silent 't')
3. Doubt (silent 'b').
1. Know (silent 'k')
2. Listen (silent 't')
3. Doubt (silent 'b').
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Three valid words with silent letters identified
3 M
Q10
Grammar & Language • Adjectives & Degrees of Comparison
Complete the degrees of comparison:
(a) Fast — ___ — Fastest
(b) Bright — Brighter — ___
(c) Good — ___ — Best.
[3 Marks]
(a) Fast — ___ — Fastest
(b) Bright — Brighter — ___
(c) Good — ___ — Best.
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Degrees of Comparison:
• (a) Fast — Faster — Fastest
• (b) Bright — Brighter — Brightest
• (c) Good — Better — Best (irregular comparison).
• (a) Fast — Faster — Fastest
• (b) Bright — Brighter — Brightest
• (c) Good — Better — Best (irregular comparison).
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Faster, Brightest, Better correct
3 M
Q11
Let us Write • Paragraph Writing
Write a short 3-sentence paragraph describing the main setting of 'Together We Can'.
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Descriptive Paragraph:
The story takes place in a vibrant and welcoming neighbourhood filled with shady trees and lively courtyards. Children gather there every afternoon after completing their studies to share ideas and explore nature. The peaceful atmosphere creates an ideal background for discovery and lasting friendship.
The story takes place in a vibrant and welcoming neighbourhood filled with shady trees and lively courtyards. Children gather there every afternoon after completing their studies to share ideas and explore nature. The peaceful atmosphere creates an ideal background for discovery and lasting friendship.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Clear 3-sentence paragraph with rich descriptive vocabulary
3 M
Q12
Vocabulary • Contextual Synonyms
Find words in 'Together We Can' that mean the same as: (a) Courageous (b) Tremendous (c) Promptly.
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Synonyms:
• (a) Courageous — Brave / Bold.
• (b) Tremendous — Huge / Enormous.
• (c) Promptly — Quickly / Immediately.
• (a) Courageous — Brave / Bold.
• (b) Tremendous — Huge / Enormous.
• (c) Promptly — Quickly / Immediately.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
All 3 synonyms correct
3 M
Q13
Punctuation • Speech Marks (Direct Quotes)
Punctuate correctly using quotation marks: the teacher said children always remember to be kind to animals
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Punctuated Sentence:
The teacher said, "Children, always remember to be kind to animals."
The teacher said, "Children, always remember to be kind to animals."
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Capital letters, comma, quotation marks, full stop
2 M
Q14
Think & Reflect • Moral Value
What lifelong value or life skill does 'Together We Can' impart to young learners?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Value Imparted:
It teaches us honesty, self-discipline, and compassion. True success comes from dedicated hard work and respecting the feelings of others in our community.
It teaches us honesty, self-discipline, and compassion. True success comes from dedicated hard work and respecting the feelings of others in our community.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Clear life skill / moral explained
2 M
Q15
Review Questions • True or False
State True or False:
(a) Listening attentively is an essential part of good communication.
(b) In the English alphabet, every vowel always produces only one sound.
(c) A paragraph should revolve around a single central topic.
[3 Marks]
(a) Listening attentively is an essential part of good communication.
(b) In the English alphabet, every vowel always produces only one sound.
(c) A paragraph should revolve around a single central topic.
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Answers:
• (a) True: Listening is key to mutual understanding.
• (b) False: Vowels have short and long sounds (e.g. 'a' in cat vs 'a' in cake).
• (c) True: A coherent paragraph focuses on one core idea.
• (a) True: Listening is key to mutual understanding.
• (b) False: Vowels have short and long sounds (e.g. 'a' in cat vs 'a' in cake).
• (c) True: A coherent paragraph focuses on one core idea.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
True, False, True with explanations
3 M
🌟 NEP 2020 Competency-Based Case Study
Community Cleanliness Drive in Shanti Nagar
The residents of Shanti Nagar noticed that their neighborhood park was littered with plastic wrappers and dry branches after a storm. Instead of waiting for municipality workers, 15 school children formed 'Team Eco-Warriors' and spent two hours on Sunday morning cleaning the flowerbeds and jogging tracks.
Analytical Task: How does the initiative of Team Eco-Warriors reflect the core message of 'Together We Can'? State two benefits of collaborative community work over individual efforts.
Evaluation & Model Answer:
Reflection of Core Message: Just as 'little drops of water make a mighty ocean,' individual children joining hands turned an overwhelming clean-up task into an enjoyable two-hour triumph.
Two Benefits:
1. Division of Labor & Speed: Tasks that take one person several days are accomplished swiftly when divided among motivated team members.
2. Community Ownership: Working together instills pride in shared public spaces and inspires adults and neighbors to keep the environment clean.
Two Benefits:
1. Division of Labor & Speed: Tasks that take one person several days are accomplished swiftly when divided among motivated team members.
2. Community Ownership: Working together instills pride in shared public spaces and inspires adults and neighbors to keep the environment clean.
Rubric: 1 Mark for connecting collective action to poem theme; 1 Mark for two distinct collaborative benefits.