Chapter 8 of 12
Chapter 8: The Lagori Champions
Action-Packed Story on India's Traditional Game of Seven Stones, Strategy & Sportsmanship | CBSE Session 2026–27
Core Pedagogical Competencies & Concepts
- Rules and mechanics of Lagori (also known as Pitthu or Satoliya in different parts of India).
- Equipment: Seven flat stones of decreasing size and a soft tennis ball.
- The epic match between the Sundarpur Tigers and the Green Warriors.
- Strategic role of team members: Strikers, agile runners, defenders, and stone stackers.
- The crowning glory of true sportsmanship: Celebrating friendship, honest effort, and mutual respect.
All Textbook Exercises & In-Text Tasks (14 Questions)
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Q1
Let us Think • Comprehension
What is Lagori, and what equipment is needed to play this traditional Indian game? What are its other regional names?
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Game Definition: Lagori is a traditional Indian tag-and-rebuild team game played in an open courtyard.
Equipment: It requires seven flat stones of graduating sizes stacked neatly on top of one another and a soft tennis ball.
Regional Names: It is called Pitthu in Northern India, Satoliya in Rajasthan and Gujarat, and Ezhu Kallu in Southern India.
Equipment: It requires seven flat stones of graduating sizes stacked neatly on top of one another and a soft tennis ball.
Regional Names: It is called Pitthu in Northern India, Satoliya in Rajasthan and Gujarat, and Ezhu Kallu in Southern India.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Mentions 7 flat stones and tennis ball
1.5 M
Cites regional names: Pitthu / Satoliya
1.5 M
Q2
Let us Think • Comprehension
Answer the following from the story: (a) What was the name of Deepa's team and their opponents? (b) Why did Captain Imran select Prakash for the team?
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
(a) Deepa's team was the Sundarpur Tigers, and their opponents were the Green Warriors.
(b) Captain Imran selected Prakash because Prakash was exceptionally swift on his feet, agile at dodging balls, and famous as the fastest runner in the village.
(b) Captain Imran selected Prakash because Prakash was exceptionally swift on his feet, agile at dodging balls, and famous as the fastest runner in the village.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Names Sundarpur Tigers and Green Warriors
1.5 M
Explains Prakash's sprinting speed and agility
1.5 M
Q3
Let us Think • Comprehension
How does a team score a win in Lagori? What happened in the final thrilling seconds of the match?
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Scoring a Win: After a striker knocks down the stone stack with the ball, the attacking team must restack all seven stones in descending order and shout 'LAGORI!' before the defending team tags any attacker with the ball.
Final Seconds: With six stones stacked and opponents aiming the ball directly at them, Prakash threw himself forward, dodged the ball with lightning reflexes, balanced the seventh top stone, and loudly cried 'LAGORI!' to clinch victory.
Final Seconds: With six stones stacked and opponents aiming the ball directly at them, Prakash threw himself forward, dodged the ball with lightning reflexes, balanced the seventh top stone, and loudly cried 'LAGORI!' to clinch victory.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Explains complete rules of restacking and shouting 'Lagori'
1.5 M
Describes Prakash's heroic final stone placement
1.5 M
Q4
Let us Think • Think & Discuss
Why did the villagers clap for both teams, and why did the referee raise the hands of both captains? Do you agree with this gesture?
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
The villagers applauded both teams and the referee raised both captains' hands because both sides played with extraordinary heart, honesty, discipline, and mutual respect.
Yes, I wholeheartedly agree with this gesture. In authentic sports, honoring the spirited effort and sportsmanship of both teams matters far more than merely celebrating the winner.
Yes, I wholeheartedly agree with this gesture. In authentic sports, honoring the spirited effort and sportsmanship of both teams matters far more than merely celebrating the winner.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Explains celebration of sportsmanship and honest effort
1.5 M
Justifies why mutual respect exceeds mere winning
1.5 M
Q5
Reading is Fun • Textual Understanding
In Chapter 8 ('The Lagori Champions'), 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 'The Lagori Champions', 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 'The Lagori Champions' 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 'The Lagori Champions'.
[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 'The Lagori Champions' 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 'The Lagori Champions' 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
Reviving Traditional Outdoor Games in Modern Schools
A school physical education department decided to replace digital gaming periods with traditional Indian games like Lagori, Kho-Kho, and Gilli-Danda during Saturday sports.
Analytical Task: Give two reasons why traditional Indian games like Lagori are economically accessible to every school. How do they develop tactical spatial intelligence?
Evaluation & Model Answer:
1. Economic Accessibility: Traditional games require zero expensive branded gear. Any open playground, 7 discarded flat river stones or wooden blocks, and a rubber ball are all that is needed, ensuring children from all economic backgrounds can play together equally.
2. Tactical Spatial Intelligence: Players must simultaneously calculate ball trajectory, estimate opponents' running distances, monitor teammates' positions, and plan defensive cover, training dynamic split-second decision-making under pressure.
2. Tactical Spatial Intelligence: Players must simultaneously calculate ball trajectory, estimate opponents' running distances, monitor teammates' positions, and plan defensive cover, training dynamic split-second decision-making under pressure.
Rubric: 1 Mark for zero-cost equipment accessibility; 1 Mark for 360-degree spatial awareness and split-second tactical thinking.