My Elder Brother – Class 5 English NCERT Solutions

Explore the solutions for “My Elder Brother,” Class 5 English NCERT. This heartwarming play teaches children that learning happens not just through books but also through life experiences. It beautifully portrays the loving relationship between two brothers and shows how different learning styles can lead to success. The story encourages students to find a balance between studies and play while respecting their elders’ wisdom.

Story Summary (English)

The story revolves around two brothers living in a hostel – Bhaiya (14 years) and Munna (9 years). While Bhaiya believes in studying all day and often repeats classes, Munna loves to play and still manages to get good grades. Bhaiya creates a strict timetable for Munna without any playtime, making him unhappy. When results come out, Munna passes with good marks while Bhaiya fails. Eventually, Bhaiya realizes that wisdom comes not just from books but also from life experiences, just like their parents who are wise despite limited formal education. The story ends with both brothers understanding and respecting each other’s ways.

कहानी का सारांश (Hindi)

यह कहानी एक हॉस्टल में रहने वाले दो भाइयों – भैया (14 वर्ष) और मुन्ना (9 वर्ष) की है। भैया पूरे दिन किताबें पढ़ने में विश्वास करते हैं और अक्सर कक्षाएं दोहराते हैं, जबकि मुन्ना खेलना पसंद करता है और फिर भी अच्छे अंक प्राप्त करता है। भैया मुन्ना के लिए बिना खेल के समय का एक सख्त टाइमटेबल बनाते हैं, जिससे वह दुखी हो जाता है। जब परिणाम आते हैं, तो मुन्ना अच्छे अंकों के साथ पास हो जाता है जबकि भैया फेल हो जाते हैं। अंततः, भैया को एहसास होता है कि ज्ञान सिर्फ किताबों से नहीं बल्कि जीवन के अनुभवों से भी आता है, ठीक उनके माता-पिता की तरह जो सीमित औपचारिक शिक्षा के बावजूद बुद्धिमान हैं। कहानी दोनों भाइयों के एक-दूसरे के तरीकों को समझने और सम्मान करने के साथ समाप्त होती है।

Word Meanings

Reading is Fun

Q1. What are the things that Munna liked to do?

Munna was a very active and playful child who enjoyed various activities. He loved:

• Walking in the green fields and feeling the gentle breeze
• Playing outdoor games like marbles, football, volleyball, and kabaddi
• Flying paper kites in his free time
• Drawing pictures of birds and animals

Q2. What did Bhaiya do all day?

Bhaiya was completely focused on his studies. He would:

• Sit with his books for hours
• Write the same word twenty times for practice
• Copy sentences and poems multiple times to improve his handwriting
• Study English with great dedication

Q3. Why was Munna not happy with the timetable that Bhaiya made for him?

Munna was unhappy with the timetable because it was extremely strict and had no time allocated for playing. The schedule was packed with studies from early morning till bedtime, with only half an hour for strolling. For an active child like Munna who loved outdoor activities and sports, this timetable felt like a prison schedule with no room for fun or recreation.

Q4. How do you think Munna felt when his brother was so strict with him? Why was Bhaiya so strict with him?

Munna felt very distressed when his brother was strict with him. He even cried and expressed his desire to run away and go back home. This shows how overwhelming Bhaiya’s strictness was for him.

Bhaiya was strict because:

• He wanted Munna to build a strong educational foundation
• He felt responsible as an elder brother
• He worried that Munna might fail if he spent too much time playing
• He didn’t want their father’s money to be wasted

Q5. Whose character do you like more — Munna’s or Bhaiya’s? Why?

While both characters have their own strengths, Munna’s character is more appealing because:

• He maintains a natural balance between studies and play
• He shows that learning can happen through various activities, not just books
• He manages to excel in studies while enjoying his childhood
• He has a cheerful and active personality that makes him relatable
• He shows respect for his elder brother despite their differences

Let’s Talk

Q1. Do you have a timetable at school? How many periods are there for the following subjects and activities in one week?

This is a personal exercise where students need to fill in their own school’s timetable. You can write the number of periods for:

• Core subjects: English, Hindi, Maths, Science, Social Studies
• Co-curricular activities: Games, Art, Craft, Music, Dance
• Any other activities specific to your school

Q2. Now make a timetable for yourself including your study time and your play time.

While creating your timetable, remember to:

• Include both study time and play time
• Be realistic about the time you allocate for each activity
• Leave some free time for relaxation
• Include all your school subjects and homework time
• Add time for hobbies and physical activities

Creative Writing

Q1. After reading the letter, answer the following questions:

(i) Who has written the letter? – Pratap has written the letter.

(ii) To whom has the letter been written? – The letter has been written to Pratap’s mother (Ma).

(iii) Where is the writer of the letter? – The writer is at his hostel.

(iv) What is the name of his hostel? – The name of his hostel is Krishna Boys’ Hostel.

(v) On which date was this letter written? – The letter was written on 10th July, 2000.

Q2. Write a letter to your friend or relative in another city telling him/her about activities/events in your school.

Here’s an improved version of the sample letter:

24, Green Park
New Delhi – 110016
15th December, 2024

Dear Rahul,

I hope this letter finds you well! I’m writing to share some exciting news about our school’s Annual Sports Day that happened last week.

It was an amazing event! We had so many fun activities – from relay races to long jump competitions. The most exciting part was when our class won the inter-class volleyball tournament. You should have seen how our team played! I participated in the 100-meter race and won a silver medal. Mom and Dad were there to cheer for me.

The best part was the special demonstration by a national-level gymnast. She showed us some incredible moves that left everyone speechless. After the events, we had a wonderful prize distribution ceremony where our principal gave a motivating speech.

I wish you were here to share these moments. When are you planning to visit Delhi? The winter break is coming up, and it would be great if you could come.

Write back soon and tell me about your school events too.

Your friend,
Amit

Comprehension

Q1. Who was Mr Bumble?

Mr. Bumble was the cruel owner of the orphanage where Oliver lived. He was known for ill-treating the boys and not providing them with enough food despite making them work hard.

Q2. What meal were the boys given?

The boys were given three meals a day, but each meal consisted of only a bowl of watery soup. The soup was so thin and insufficient that it barely satisfied their hunger.

Q3. What did Oliver say to Mr Bumble?

Oliver, gathering all his courage, approached Mr. Bumble with his bowl and spoon in hand and said tremblingly, “Please sir, I want some more.” This simple request showed both his desperation and bravery.

Q4. The boys were given three meals a day. Then why were they always hungry?

The boys were always hungry because:

• The soup they were given was very watery and lacked nutrition
• The portion size was too small for growing children
• They had to work hard all day which increased their hunger

Q5. Find the words from the passage that mean the same as:

(i) Very hungry – starving
(ii) to vanish – disappear

Q6. From the word ‘assembled’ remove the last two letters. Add one letter to make a word which means a time at the school when the whole school gathers.

The word is assembly:

• Original word: assembled
• Remove ‘ed’: assembl
• Add ‘y’: assembly

Q7. Give a suitable title to the passage.

Some suitable titles could be:

• “Oliver’s Brave Request”
• “The Hungry Orphans”
• “Oliver Asks for More”

Q8. ‘All the boys assembled in the cold stone hall.’ Here the word assembled means:

The word “assembled” means “collected” in this context. It shows that all the boys gathered together in the hall for their meal. The other options like “moved away” or “worked together” don’t fit the context of the sentence.

Q9. Why did Oliver live in the orphanage?

Oliver lived in the orphanage because he was homeless and had no parents to take care of him. Like many other boys in the orphanage, he had nowhere else to go and depended on the institution for shelter and food, even though the conditions were poor.

Let’s Write

Q1. This big jar has been in our family ___ many years.

The correct answer is: This big jar has been in our family for many years.

Q2. The old banyan tree in the village has been there ____the last 200 years.

The correct answer is: The old banyan tree in the village has been there for the last 200 years.

Q3. Nobody has seen him __ yesterday.

The correct answer is: Nobody has seen him since yesterday.

Q4. Complete the following sentences using the correct form of teach or learn:

Here are the completed sentences:

• Will you teach me chess? (asking someone to instruct)
• Mr Sharma teaches Class VIII. (present tense – regular action)
• The students have learned about ‘road safety’. (present perfect – completed action)
• My sister has taught me how to ride a horse. (present perfect – completed action)
• I have learned some of the customs of India. (present perfect – acquired knowledge)
• I learned how to cycle when I was just four years old. (past tense – completed action)

Q5. Choose the correct word and complete the paragraph:

All the class V students of our school were gathering in front of the Principal’s office. They were going for the inter-school race. The bus arrived and they left for the stadium. The runners were taken to the starting point. The runners took their positions. Sir blew the whistle. One student of our school ran fast and came first. Everyone did their best and our school won the trophy. Everyone felt joyous.

Q6. Fill in the blank using for or since: I have lived in this house ___ I was a baby.

The correct answer is: I have lived in this house since I was a baby.

• We use ‘since’ when referring to a specific point in time (like “since I was a baby”)
• We use ‘for’ when referring to a duration of time (like “for five years”)