Chapter 4 of 12
Chapter 4: One Thing at a Time
Classic Inspirational Poem by M.A. Stodart on Concentration, Time Management & Mindfulness | CBSE Session 2026–27
Core Pedagogical Competencies & Concepts
- The value of undivided attention: Doing one thing with all one's might ensures perfection.
- Dangers of multitasking: 'Things done by halves are never done right.'
- Balancing work and play: Dedicated study hours and dedicated play hours create joyful harmony.
- Cultivating self-discipline, time organization, and peaceful focus in childhood.
All Textbook Exercises & In-Text Tasks (14 Questions)
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Q1
Let us Think • Comprehension
Why is it important to focus on doing one thing at a time according to the poem? What happens when tasks are done by halves?
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
It is important to focus on one thing at a time because 'things done by halves are never done right.'
When we divide our attention between multiple activities, our mind gets scattered, we make careless errors, waste precious time, and end up leaving tasks incomplete. Focusing fully on a single activity allows us to understand concepts thoroughly and achieve excellence.
When we divide our attention between multiple activities, our mind gets scattered, we make careless errors, waste precious time, and end up leaving tasks incomplete. Focusing fully on a single activity allows us to understand concepts thoroughly and achieve excellence.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Cites 'things done by halves are never done right'
1.5 M
Explains errors and time waste resulting from split attention
1.5 M
Q2
Let us Think • Rhyming Words
Make a list of words that rhyme in the poem 'One Thing at a Time' and write one pair in an original couplet.
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Rhyming Pairs from the Poem:
• play — way
• might — right
• well — tell
Original Couplet:
Study your books with all your might,
And your bright future will turn out right!
• play — way
• might — right
• well — tell
Original Couplet:
Study your books with all your might,
And your bright future will turn out right!
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Three correct rhyming pairs identified
1.5 M
Creative, meaningful rhyming couplet written
1.5 M
Q3
Let us Think • Personal Reflection
How do you feel after finishing a difficult task that you have performed with full dedication? Describe three daily habits that help you stay calm and focused.
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Post-Task Feeling: After completing a difficult assignment with full concentration, I feel deeply satisfied, peaceful, self-confident, and free of stress.
Three Focus Habits:
1. Quiet Study Space: Keeping my study table clean and free from distracting toys or television sounds.
2. Deep Breathing Breaks: Taking five slow, deep breaths before starting math problem solving.
3. Daily Timetable: Allocating fixed, separate hours for homework and outdoor sports so my mind is never worried about unfinished work during playtime.
Three Focus Habits:
1. Quiet Study Space: Keeping my study table clean and free from distracting toys or television sounds.
2. Deep Breathing Breaks: Taking five slow, deep breaths before starting math problem solving.
3. Daily Timetable: Allocating fixed, separate hours for homework and outdoor sports so my mind is never worried about unfinished work during playtime.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Emotional expression of accomplishment and satisfaction
1.5 M
Three practical concentration habits described
1.5 M
Q4
Let us Learn Words • Sentence Construction
Use the following words in meaningful sentences: (a) Might, (b) Moments, (c) Rule.
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
(a) Might: The little ant pushed the large breadcrumb with all its might into the anthill.
(b) Moments: We spent cheerful moments singing folk songs around the campfire.
(c) Rule: A golden rule of road safety is to always cross at the zebra crossing.
(b) Moments: We spent cheerful moments singing folk songs around the campfire.
(c) Rule: A golden rule of road safety is to always cross at the zebra crossing.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Three grammatically flawless, contextually rich sentences
3.0 M
Q5
Reading is Fun • Textual Understanding
In Chapter 4 ('One Thing at a Time'), 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
Q6
Talk Time • Speaking Skills
Discuss in your classroom: If you faced a similar situation to that in 'One Thing at a Time', 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
Q7
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
Q8
Let us Listen • Sound Identification
Identify words in 'One Thing at a Time' 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
Q9
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
Q10
Let us Write • Paragraph Writing
Write a short 3-sentence paragraph describing the main setting of 'One Thing at a Time'.
[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
Q11
Vocabulary • Contextual Synonyms
Find words in 'One Thing at a Time' 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
Q12
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
Q13
Think & Reflect • Moral Value
What lifelong value or life skill does 'One Thing at a Time' 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
Q14
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
Exam Preparation vs. Mobile Notifications
While revising science definitions for tomorrow's unit test, Rohan keeps his mother's smartphone next to his textbook. Every three minutes, he glances at notification chimes, replies to chat messages, and re-reads the same paragraph five times without remembering it.
Analytical Task: Which advice from M.A. Stodart's poem does Rohan fail to practice? What specific advice would you give Rohan to improve his test recall?
Evaluation & Model Answer:
Poem Rule Violated: Rohan violates the fundamental rule: 'Work while you work, play while you play; that is the way to be cheerful and gay.' By trying to study and chat simultaneously, his work is being 'done by halves.'
Actionable Advice: Rohan should switch off the smartphone or place it in another room for 45 minutes, focus entirely on revising one science topic with full 'might,' and only check messages after completing his revision goals.
Actionable Advice: Rohan should switch off the smartphone or place it in another room for 45 minutes, focus entirely on revising one science topic with full 'might,' and only check messages after completing his revision goals.
Rubric: 1 Mark for quoting or identifying poem's core tenet; 1 Mark for practical digital distraction protocol.