NCERT Solutions for Class 6 English Unit 2 Friendship Chapter 02 A Friends Prayer

Let Us Do These Activities Before We Read

Question 1. Read the following sentences:
(a) I wish my friend brings idli in her tiffin tomorrow.
(b) I hope my friend and I win the race tomorrow.
(c) May my friend get well soon.
Which of the three sentences (a)-(c) is closest to a prayer? Explain to your teacher and classmates.
Answer: Sentence (c) is the one that is closest to a prayer. When we use the word "may" at the start, it shows we are wishing or praying for something good to happen. On the other hand, sentence (a) uses the word "wish," which only shows what someone personally wants for themselves. Sentence (b) uses "hope," which means wanting a certain result but does not sound like a prayer. Therefore, only sentence (c) has the gentle and respectful tone of a prayer.
In simple words: Sentence (c) is a prayer because it uses the word 'may' to wish something good for someone else.

Exam Tip: When identifying a prayer, look for words like "may" or "bless" which show a wish for someone else's well-being.

Question 2. What would you pray for your friend? First speak about it and then write it down.
Answer: I pray that my friend stays very happy and peaceful every day. I hope they get the strength to face any hard times easily. May they always remain healthy, and may they get to fulfill all their dreams.
In simple words: I would pray that my friend is always happy, healthy, and successful in life.

Exam Tip: When writing a personal prayer, always mention wishing happiness, good health, and strength for others.

Let Us Discuss

Question 1. Read the poem silently. As you read, underline the parts of the poem that you agree with.
Answer: I agree with these specific lines from the poem:
May my friendships always be
The most important thing to me.
With special friends I feel I'm blessed,
So let me give my very best.
I want to do much more than share
The hopes and plans of friends who care;
In simple words: I agree with the lines that say friendship is very valuable and we should do our best for our friends.

Exam Tip: Keep direct lines from the poem in quotes or italics to show they are taken directly from the text.

Question 2. Now, share the details of your underlined parts of the poem in groups and explain why you liked those lines.
Answer: Here are the explanations for the lines I liked:
* "May my friendships always be / The most important thing to me." - These words show how important it is to value our friends. I like this because good friends keep us happy and support us.
* "With special friends I feel I'm blessed, / So let me give my very best." - When we have great friends, we feel lucky. It makes us want to do our best for them too.
* "I want to do much more than share / The hopes and plans of friends who care; / I'll try all that a friend can do / To make their wishes come true." - This shows we should support our friends' dreams. True friends do everything they can to help each other succeed.
* "Let me use my heart to see, / To realise what friends can be, / And make no judgements from afar, / But love my friends the way they are." - This means we must accept our friends as they are. We should not judge them, which helps keep our friendship strong.
In simple words: We should value our friends, help them with their dreams, and accept them without judging them.

Exam Tip: When explaining why you like a stanza, connect its message to real-life values like kindness and help.

Question 3. Which line was underlined by most people in your group? Share it with your teacher.
Answer: The line that most group members picked is:
Let me use my heart to see,
To realise what friends can be,
And make no judgements from afar,
But love my friends the way they are.
Most people liked these words because they talk about loving and accepting friends without any conditions. Acceptance is the most important part of being a real friend.
In simple words: Most students loved the line about accepting friends as they are without judging them.

Exam Tip: Highlighting words like "acceptance" and "love" helps you score full marks in questions about friendship.

Let Us Think and Reflect

Question 1. Complete the summary of the poem by circling the correct highlighted words.
Answer: Here is the completed summary with the correct choices:
The poet makes a "prayer" for friends and friendship. She wants friendship to always be a major part of her "complete life". She explains that friends make her feel "special". She wants to do the absolute best for her friends. She wishes to "listen to" what her friends want. Like a true friend, she "prays" that she can make their wishes come true. She wants her "heart" to know what real friendship is. She asks to love her friends "as they are". She says a "true" friend accepts others completely.
In simple words: This summary shows that a real friend always listens, never judges, and prays for their friend's happiness.

Exam Tip: Pay close attention to context clues in the poem to select the correct words for a summary.

Question 2. Answer in one word only.
(a) How does the poet feel about special friends?
(b) What does the poet use to realise what friends can be?
Answer:
(a) Blessed
(b) Heart
In simple words: The poet feels very lucky to have friends and uses her feelings to understand them.

Exam Tip: One-word answers must be spelled correctly. Double-check your spelling from the poem text.

Question 3. Read the following lines from the poem and answer the questions given below.
(a) I want to do much more than share
The hopes and plans of friends who care;
I'll try all that a friend can do
To make their wishes come true.
(i) Complete the sentence with the most suitable option.
These lines tell us that the speaker is _______.
a. clever | b. caring | c. curious | d. calm
(ii) How will the speaker make her friends' wishes come true? (by trying hard/by working a lot)
(iii) Fill in the blank with a suitable word.
My friends will feel _______ if their wishes come true.
(b) Let me use my heart to see,
To realise what friends can be,
And make no judgements from afar,
But love my friends the way they are.
(i) The speaker says that feelings are important to understand friendship. Which line tells us this?
(ii) Complete the sentence with the most suitable option.
These lines tell us that the speaker is _______.
a. helpful | b. thoughtful | c. cheerful | d. hopeful
(iii) Fill in the blank with one word.
The speaker does not wish to make any _______. She cares for them just as they are.
Answer:
(a)
(i) The speaker is b. caring.
(ii) The speaker will help them by trying hard.
(iii) My friends will feel happy if their dreams come true.
(b)
(i) The line is: "Let me use my heart to see,"
(ii) The lines show the speaker is b. thoughtful.
(iii) The speaker does not want to make any judgements.
In simple words: The speaker is a caring and thoughtful person who wants to help friends and accepts them without judging.

Exam Tip: Always verify the exact line in the poem to ensure your multiple-choice options are correct.

Question 4. Give one reason why we can say that this poem is a prayer.
Answer: We can call this poem a prayer because the writer shares deep wishes for her friends to be happy. The language used is very respectful and sincere, just like when we pray.
In simple words: The poem is like a prayer because it asks for good things for friends in a very sweet way.

Exam Tip: Mention terms like "heartfelt wishes" and "respectful tone" to explain why a poem is a prayer.

Question 5. Why does the speaker ‘want to do more’ for her friend?
Answer: She wants to do more because her friends mean a lot to her. She has a very kind heart and wants to do everything possible to help them reach their goals.
In simple words: The speaker loves her friends so much that she wants to do extra things to make them happy.

Exam Tip: Always use keywords like "selfless" and "supportive" when describing a good friend's attitude.

Question 6. Do you think that the speaker knows about the wishes of her friend? How can we say so?
Answer: Yes, it seems the speaker is aware of what her friend wants. We can guess this because she talks about wanting to make their dreams come true. This shows they must have shared their plans with each other.
In simple words: She knows what her friend wants because she is ready to help make those wishes come true.

Exam Tip: Use examples from the text to support your answers when asked "How can we say so?".

Question 7. Do you also pray for your friend? What do you wish for? Discuss.
Answer: Yes, I always pray for my dear friends. I ask God to keep them happy, healthy, and safe. I also wish that they do well in school and stay strong when they face any difficulties.
In simple words: I pray that my friends are always safe, healthy, and happy in everything they do.

Exam Tip: Feel free to share your personal thoughts honestly, but keep your sentences simple and clear.

Let Us Learn

Question 1. The poet says, ‘With special friends I feel I'm blessed’. Select the words that are similar to the meaning of being blessed, from those given below.
excited | grateful | understood | thankful | relaxed
Answer: The words that mean the same as being blessed are grateful and thankful.
In simple words: Being blessed means feeling very thankful for the good things we have.

Exam Tip: Remember that synonyms are words with similar meanings. "Blessed," "grateful," and "thankful" all share a positive feeling.

Question 2. Good friends have a lot of qualities. Let us list some.
loyal, h _ _ p _ _ l, k _ _ d, c _ _ _ ing, ho _ _ _ t
Now, fill in the blanks with the words you just listed above.
(a) My friend is always _______ to me even when I make a mistake.
(b) My friend shares things with me. She is very _______.
(c) My friend is _______ because he always supports me.
(d) My friend never lies. She is an _______ person.
(e) My friend and I believe in _______ for each other.
Answer:
The completed words are:
helpful, kind, caring, honest

Here are the completed sentences:
(a) My friend is always kind to me even when I make a mistake.
(b) My friend shares things with me. She is very caring.
(c) My friend is helpful because he always supports me.
(d) My friend never lies. She is an honest person.
(e) My friend and I believe in loyalty for each other.
In simple words: Good friends should have nice habits like being helpful, kind, caring, honest, and loyal.

Exam Tip: Fill-in-the-blank answers must make grammatical sense in the sentence. Reread the completed sentence to check.

Question 3. Think of any three of your friends. Write three sentences on why you like each one of them.
Answer: Here are sentences about three of my friends:
* Friend 1: I like Nancy because she always listens to me when I want to talk. She is extremely kind and makes me feel very special.
* Friend 2: I like Karan because he is always ready to help me when I need it. He is honest and I can always trust him.
* Friend 3: I like Riya because she is very caring and makes sure everyone around her feels happy. Her warmth makes our friendship strong.
In simple words: These sentences describe why my friends are special, like being good listeners, helpful, and caring.

Exam Tip: When writing about friends, list specific actions they do that make them special to you.

Let Us Listen

Question 1. You will listen to a talk about some outdoor activities that two friends spend their time doing. As you listen, answer the given question in one or two word(s) only. (refer to page 72 for transcript)
(a) What do the two friends purchase and use on the park bench?
Answer: (a) A book.
In simple words: The two friends bought a book to read while sitting together on the bench.

Exam Tip: Listening comprehension answers are usually short. Focus on the main noun mentioned in the recording.

Question 2. You will once again listen to the talk about some outdoor activities of the two friends. As you listen, circle the pictures that show these activities.
Answer: The activities shown in the talk are:
(a) Reading a book on a park bench
(c) Buying ice cream from a cart
(f) Riding bicycles together
In simple words: The friends are reading, enjoying ice cream, and cycling in the park.

Exam Tip: Match the actions described in the audio with the visuals in the pictures carefully before choosing.

Let Us Speak

Question 1. In pairs, act the role of friends speaking to each other. Speak about the following situations:
(a) A walk in the park
You can use the following-
• Greet each other.
• Ask if your friend wishes to go with you to the park.
• If yes, make a plan about activities to do.
• If no, ask what your friend would like to do.
Listen and share what you would also like to do together
• Tell your friend that you like spending time with each other.
(b) Sharing tiffins at school
You can use the following-
• Greet each other.
• Tell your friends what food items you have brought in your tiffin. Ask them what they have brought.
• Tell them you wish to share tiffins!
• Next, share with your friends, how it makes you feel.
• Appreciate your friends' food and ask what other food items they like.
• Thank your friends for sharing.
Answer: Here are sample dialogues for both situations:

(a) A walk in the park:
Amit: Hi! How are you doing today?
Yogesh: Hello! I am doing fine, thank you. What about you?
Amit: I am doing great! Would you like to go to the park for a walk later?
Yogesh: Yes, I would love to. What time should we meet?
Amit: Is 4 o'clock in the afternoon good? The weather is very nice then.
Yogesh: That works! What will we do there?
Amit: We can take a walk, sit on a bench to talk, or read a book together.
Yogesh: That sounds wonderful. I always have a great time when we hang out.
Amit: Same here! It is always very fun to spend time with you.

(b) Sharing tiffins at school:
Riya: Hi there, good morning!
Harleen: Good morning! How have you been?
Riya: I am doing well. I have brought some tasty sandwiches and fresh fruit today. What is in your tiffin?
Harleen: I have got some delicious pasta and sweet cookies. Shall we share our food?
Riya: Yes, let's do that! Having lunch together is so much more fun.
Harleen: I agree! Trying different foods is great. Your sandwiches look very yummy.
Riya: Thank you! Your pasta smells so good. What are your other favorite foods?
Harleen: I love eating homemade pizza and fresh salads. How about you?
Riya: I enjoy eating rice dishes and spicy curry.
Harleen: Great! Thank you so much for sharing your lunch with me.
Riya: You are welcome! Sharing tiffin always makes school lunchtime much better.
In simple words: These dialogues show how to politely invite a friend to play or ask them to share their lunch.

Exam Tip: Dialogues should sound natural. Use friendly greetings like "Hey" or "Hi" and polite closing remarks.

Question 2. Create a new situation and have another conversation.
Answer: Here is a new conversation in a different situation:

Planning a weekend outing:
Shreya: Hello! Do you have any plans for this weekend?
Mayank: Hi! I don't have any plans yet. Do you want to do something?
Shreya: I was thinking we could visit the new fun park that just opened. What do you say?
Mayank: Oh, that sounds amazing! I have been wishing to go there.
Shreya: Awesome! Should we go on Saturday or Sunday?
Mayank: Saturday is better for me. At what time should we start?
Shreya: Let's meet at 10 in the morning so we get plenty of time there.
Mayank: Sounds great! Should we take some snacks along or buy everything there?
Shreya: We can pack a few snacks and buy our lunch at the park. That way, we can eat while waiting in lines for the rides.
Mayank: That is a perfect plan. I am so excited to go with you!
Shreya: Me too! We are going to have so much fun. I always enjoy hanging out with you.
Mayank: Same here. See you on Saturday!
In simple words: This is a friendly conversation between Shreya and Mayank planning a fun trip to an amusement park on Saturday.

Exam Tip: When creating a dialogue, keep the sentences short and ensure each speaker takes turns.

Let Us Write

Question. Describe how your friendship with your friend started.
• First list the answers for - When? Where? How?
• Then, use your sentences to write a short paragraph of about 80 words.
• Give a title to your paragraph.
Answer: Here is how my friendship began:

When? Three years back
Where? In school
How? Working on a group project

The Start of a Special Friendship
Three years ago, I met my best friend in school while working on a science project. We did not know each other at first, but we had to work together. As we talked, we found out that we liked the same games and laughed at the same jokes. Working together helped us get a good grade and also made us great friends. Since that day, we have been very close and always help each other in everything we do.
In simple words: This is a short story about how a science project at school helped two classmates become best friends.

Exam Tip: A paragraph of 80 words should have a clear title, a beginning, a middle, and a concluding sentence.

Let Us Explore

Question 1. There many quotations about friendship. Read the ones given below.
• "A friend in need is a friend indeed."
• "My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me."
(a) What do you think is the meaning of these quotations? Share it with your teacher.
(b) Think of an experience in your life with your friend that suits this quotation. Share it with your friends.
Answer: Here are the answers:

(a) Meaning of the Quotes:
* "A friend in need is a friend indeed." - This quote means that a real friend will always help you when you are facing hard times. They prove their friendship by being there for you when you need help the most.
* "My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me." - This means that a true best friend helps you do your best and be a good person. They encourage you and make you feel confident in yourself.

(b) Real Life Stories:
* "A friend in need is a friend indeed." - Last year, I was having a hard time with my math lessons. I was very worried about failing. My friend saw that I was sad and offered to study with me. We spent many afternoons practicing math together until I understood it. Because of my friend's kindness, I passed my test easily. This made me realize how important a helpful friend is.
* "My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me." - Some time ago, I was very scared to participate in a drawing competition because I thought my drawings were not good. My friend kept telling me that I was a wonderful artist. They helped me practice and select my best colors. With their support, I won second prize! My friend helped me believe in myself.
In simple words: A true friend helps you when you are sad and encourages you to do your absolute best.

Exam Tip: Explaining famous quotes requires writing the meaning first, followed by a short personal story to show understanding.

Question 2. Look for some famous quotations on friendship; these can be in your own language too. Read and share them with your teacher and classmates.
Write one quotation on paper, colour and decorate it. Put it up on the class board.
Answer: Here are some beautiful quotes about friendship in both English and Hindi:

English Quotes:
* "Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together." - Woodrow Wilson
* "A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out." - Walter Winchell
* "Friends are the siblings God never gave us." - Mencius
* "True friendship comes when the silence between two people is comfortable." - David Tyson

Hindi Quote:
* "दोस्ती वह नहीं जो जान लेती है, दोस्ती वह है जो जान देने को मजबूर कर देती है।"
In simple words: These famous quotes show how special, strong, and comforting true friendship is to everyone in the world.

Exam Tip: When writing quotes, always attribute them to the original speaker using a hyphen and their name.