The Kites – Class 6 English NCERT Solutions

Explore the solutions for The Kites, Class 6 English NCERT. This chapter beautifully captures the joy and imagination of kite flying while teaching important lessons about observation, creativity, and the beauty of simple pleasures. Students will learn about descriptive writing, poetry appreciation, and cultural aspects of kite flying in India.

English Summary

The poem “The Kites” by Daphne Lister is a delightful exploration of a child’s imagination and their fascination with kites. The poet creates a vivid picture of colorful kites soaring in the sky and expresses a wish to ride on one.

• The poem compares kites to colorful birds flying in the wind-whipped sky
• The child wishes to be small and light as air to climb on a kite
• It describes the experience of drifting upon paper wings and hearing wind songs
• The poem ends with the child imagining people below watching in wonder

Hindi Summary

कविता “द काइट्स” बच्चों की कल्पना और पतंगों के प्रति उनके आकर्षण को दर्शाती है। कवि ने आसमान में उड़ती रंगीन पतंगों का सजीव चित्रण किया है और एक पतंग पर सवार होने की इच्छा व्यक्त की है।

• कविता पतंगों की तुलना हवा में उड़ते रंगीन पक्षियों से करती है
• बच्चा हवा की तरह छोटा और हल्का होने की कामना करता है
• कागज के पंखों पर बहते हुए हवा के गीत सुनने का वर्णन है
• कविता का अंत नीचे खड़े लोगों के विस्मय को दर्शाता है

Word Meanings

Exercise Solutions

Q1. Have you ever flown a kite or seen someone fly it? Where? When?

Yes, I have flown kites during the festival of Makar Sankranti in January. I flew kites on the terrace of my house with my family members and friends. It was a wonderful experience to feel the wind and watch colorful kites dancing in the sky. The excitement of controlling the kite string and competing with other kite flyers made it a memorable experience. The clear winter sky provided the perfect backdrop for kite flying.

Q2. Describe the kite—colour(s), shape, design of tail, any other detail.

The kite I flew was a traditional diamond-shaped kite made of lightweight paper. It had a beautiful combination of red and yellow colors with geometric patterns. The tail was made of colorful paper streamers that helped balance the kite in the air. The kite had a strong bamboo spine and a cross-spar that gave it stability. The paper used was thin but durable, and the edges were reinforced with extra strips to prevent tearing.

Q3. What did you think when you saw the kite up in the sky?

When I saw the kite soaring high in the sky, I felt a sense of freedom and joy. It was amazing to watch how the kite danced with the wind, sometimes gliding smoothly and sometimes diving and swooping. The way it moved reminded me of a bird in flight. The height it reached made me wonder about how small everything looks from up there, and I imagined what it would be like to float so freely in the sky. The sight filled me with excitement and a peaceful feeling at the same time.

Q4. Share the things with your teacher that you saw and what the people were doing.

In the kite festival video, I observed many fascinating things. The sky was filled with kites of various shapes and sizes, creating a colorful spectacle. People were engaged in different activities:

• Expert kite flyers were demonstrating their skills with complex maneuvers
• Children were running around with excitement, holding their kite strings
• Some people were preparing their kites, checking the strings and balance
• Others were enjoying the festival atmosphere with music and food

The festival showed how kite flying brings people together and creates a joyful community atmosphere.

Q5. Would you like to participate in this kind of festival? Why?

Yes, I would love to participate in a kite festival because it offers a wonderful opportunity to experience both cultural tradition and entertainment. It would be exciting to see the variety of kites, learn new flying techniques, and meet people who share this interest. The festive atmosphere, with its colors and energy, would make it a memorable experience. Additionally, participating in such festivals helps preserve our cultural heritage and creates lasting memories with family and friends.

Q6. What kind of kite would you like to fly?

I would like to fly a traditional diamond-shaped kite with a modern twist. My ideal kite would have bright rainbow colors arranged in concentric patterns, with a sturdy bamboo frame for good control. The tail would be long and decorated with colorful ribbons to help maintain stability in the air. I would add some reflective elements to make it sparkle in the sunlight. The size would be medium – not too big to handle but large enough to be visible from a distance.

Q7. I can see ___________, ___________ and ___________ in the picture.

Looking at the picture, I can see kites, birds, and sky. The scene shows multiple elements that create a complete picture of outdoor activity. The kites are flying high, birds are sharing the same space, and the vast sky serves as a perfect background. This combination creates a beautiful harmony of natural and man-made objects in the air.

Q8. The weather in the picture is ___________.

The weather in the picture is windy. This can be determined from several visual clues: the kites are flying well, which requires good wind conditions, and there appears to be movement in the elements of the scene. The presence of wind is essential for kite flying, and the picture effectively captures this weather condition.

Q9. The kite is ___________ high in the sky.

The kite is flying high in the sky. It demonstrates the perfect position for a kite in flight, showcasing how these beautiful objects are meant to soar upward when properly controlled. The height achieved by the kite in the picture represents the ideal elevation for optimal kite flying.

Q10. The child is ___________ from below.

The child is looking from below. This perspective shows the natural way children observe kites in flight, with their faces turned upward to watch their kites soar against the sky. The position captures the sense of wonder and joy that comes with flying a kite.

Q11. The tail of the kite ___________.

The tail of the kite has ribbons. These ribbons serve both a functional and decorative purpose, helping to stabilize the kite in flight while adding to its visual appeal. The ribbons flow gracefully in the wind, enhancing the kite’s movement and beauty.

Q12. List two more things that you want to add to the picture.

To enhance the picture, I would add:

• A few more children flying kites together, which would show the social and communal aspect of kite flying
• Some colorful clouds during sunset, which would create a more dramatic and beautiful backdrop for the kites

These additions would make the scene more vibrant and capture the true spirit of kite flying as a shared activity.

Q13. If I were the child, I would ___________.

If I were the child, I would feel incredibly excited and joyful. I would hold the kite string firmly while watching my colorful kite dance in the sky. I would enjoy the gentle breeze, try different techniques to make the kite soar higher, and feel proud of keeping it stable in the air. I would also call my friends to join me so we could share the fun of kite flying together.

Q14. If I were the kite, I would ___________.

If I were the kite, I would soar freely in the vast blue sky, dancing with the wind currents. I would enjoy the feeling of floating high above the earth, looking down at the beautiful world below. I would perform graceful swoops and glides, making my ribbons flutter in the breeze. I would try to bring joy to the child flying me by being responsive to their control.

Q15. Read the poem silently. Mark the given statements as True or False.

Here are the answers with explanations:

• (a) The child is looking at the kites – True (The poem begins with “See the kites fly”)
• (b) The kites look like birds of different colours – True (The poem says “Like coloured birds”)
• (c) It was a rainy day – False (It was a windy day as mentioned “wind-whipped sky”)
• (d) The child wants to be like a kite – False (The child wishes to be “small and light as air”)
• (e) The child wishes to climb on a kite – True (The poem states “I would climb on a kite”)
• (f) The kite is made of cloth and plastic – False (The poem mentions “paper wings”)
• (g) The child wants to ride the kite – True (The child wishes to “sail up there”)
• (h) The child knows they would have fun – True (The poem says “What fun it would be”)
• (i) The child wants to look at the kite from a rooftop – False (The child wants to look down at rooftops)
• (j) The child would like to look at people down below – True (Mentioned in the last stanza)
• (k) The child knows that the people would stare – True (The poem states “Would stand and stare”)

Q16. Complete the sentence: The poet says that the kites are like coloured birds.

The poet compares kites to birds because they both share similar qualities – they fly gracefully in the sky, move with the wind, and display beautiful colors. This is an example of a simile, where the poet directly compares kites to birds using the word “like.” The comparison helps readers visualize how the kites move and appear in the sky.

Q17. Complete the sentence: The child wishes to be like air.

The child wishes to be as light as air. The child wishes this to be able to climb on a kite and fly. This desire represents the universal human dream of flying and experiencing the freedom of the sky. The comparison to air’s lightness shows how the child understands that being weightless is necessary for such an imaginary flight.

Q18. Do you think that the use of simile in this poem helps us imagine better when we read the poem?

Yes, the use of similes in this poem significantly enhances our imagination and understanding. When the poet compares kites to colored birds and wishes to be as light as air, these similes create vivid mental pictures. They help us:

• Visualize the movement and grace of kites in the sky
• Understand the quality of lightness needed for flight
• Connect familiar concepts (birds, air) with the poem’s imagery
• Experience the freedom and joy the poet describes

These comparisons make the poem more relatable and enjoyable for young readers.

Q19. Find a set of words from the poem that begin with the same consonant sound.

From the poem, we can identify several examples of alliteration:

• Stanza 1: “wind-whipped” – repetition of ‘w’ sound
• Stanza 3: “wild wind” – repetition of ‘w’ sound
• Other examples include “stand and stare” with the ‘s’ sound

These repetitions of consonant sounds create a musical quality in the poem and emphasize certain phrases.

Q20. In the last stanza, what two words does the poet repeat?

In the last stanza, the poet repeats the word “high” to emphasize the extreme height of the kite in the sky. The line reads “High, high in the air.” This repetition serves multiple purposes:

• Emphasizes the great height achieved
• Creates a sense of continuous upward movement
• Adds rhythm to the poem’s conclusion
• Reinforces the feeling of elevation and freedom

Q21. Circle the word that does not share the same feeling as ‘fun’.

Among the given words (joy, excitement, care, happiness), “care” does not share the same feeling as ‘fun’. While joy, excitement, and happiness all express positive emotions related to pleasure and enjoyment, ‘care’ represents concern or responsibility. In the context of the poem, the focus is on the carefree pleasure and delight of kite flying, making ‘care’ the word that doesn’t fit with this joyful theme.

Q22. Which line tells us that the poet was somewhere above?

The line “To look right down, Over the park And the rooftops of town” tells us that the poet (in imagination) was somewhere above. This line effectively conveys the height and perspective of being up in the air with the kite, giving readers a sense of the aerial view that the child dreams of experiencing.

Q23. Choose the scene the child saw.

Based on the poem and the options given in the textbook, the child would have seen the scene showing rooftops and houses (option ii). This matches with the poem’s description of looking down “Over the park And the rooftops of town.” The aerial view would naturally include:

• Houses with different colored roofs
• Streets and pathways between buildings
• The layout of the neighborhood
• People appearing small from the height

Q24. How does the poet describe the kites in the first two lines?

In the first two lines of the poem, the poet describes kites with beautiful imagery: “See the kites fly, Like coloured birds In the wind-whipped sky“. The description includes several key elements:

• The movement of kites through their flying action
• A simile comparing them to colored birds
• The environmental context of a wind-swept sky
• The visual appeal of their colors against the sky

This description creates a vivid and dynamic picture of kites in motion.

Q25. Why does the child say that they have to climb a tree first to get onto the kite?

Actually, the child doesn’t mention climbing a tree in the poem. The poem simply states “I would climb on a kite And sail up there“. This is part of the child’s imaginative wish to be small and light enough to ride on a kite. The child dreams of directly climbing onto the kite to experience the joy of flying, showing the power of imagination and the universal desire to fly.

Q26. What are the songs that the child hears when flying atop the kite?

According to the poem, the child hears “the songs That the wild wind sings“. This poetic description refers to:

• The whistling and whooshing sounds of the wind
• The natural music created by air movement
• The harmonious sounds experienced at height
• The magical quality of nature’s own symphony

This description adds an auditory dimension to the visual experience of kite flying.

Q27. Why did the people look up at the child and stare? If you looked up and saw that, what feelings would you have?

In the poem, people stare because seeing a child riding a kite would be an extraordinary and magical sight. If I looked up and saw a child flying on a kite, I would feel:

• Wonder and amazement at witnessing something magical
• Excitement about seeing the impossible become possible
• Curiosity about how the child managed to achieve this feat
• Joy at seeing such a delightful and whimsical scene

The staring represents the natural human reaction to seeing something remarkable and unprecedented.

Q28. If you were the kite carrying the child high up in the air, what would you tell them?

As a kite carrying a child, I would say things that ensure both excitement and safety:

• “Hold on tight to my string, and we’ll explore the beautiful world below together!”
• “Look how the houses seem like tiny colorful boxes from up here.”
• “Feel the gentle wind guiding us through the clouds.”
• “Don’t worry, I’ll keep you safe as we soar through the sky.”
• “Isn’t it amazing to see birds flying beside us?”

I would share the joy of flight while being a responsible guardian in the sky.

Q29. Study some other words about the kite’s movement and share what type of movement they show.

Let’s analyze different kite movements:

• Glide: Smooth, horizontal movement through the air without much effort
• Dive: Quick, downward movement toward the ground
• Soar: Upward movement to gain height in the sky
• Swoop: Curved movement, usually down and then up again
• Circle: Rotating movement in a circular pattern

Each of these movements shows how kites can create different patterns in the sky, making kite flying an exciting and dynamic activity.

Q30. Make sentences using these expressions: up in the air; look right down; stay up there; stand and stare.

Here are sentences using the given expressions:

• Up in the air: The colorful balloons floated up in the air during the festival.
• Look right down: From the top of the building, we could look right down at the busy streets below.
• Stay up there: The airplane seemed to stay up there forever, drawing patterns in the sky.
• Stand and stare: People would often stand and stare at the beautiful sunset over the ocean.

Q31. Listen about the Kite Festival in India and identify incorrect words.

The correct information about kite festivals in India:

• Kite Festival is celebrated in January (not June)
• The International Kite Festival (Uttarayan) is celebrated in Western India (not Eastern India)
• It is mainly celebrated in Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Telangana (correct)
• Kites of different shapes, sizes, and colors can be seen (correct)
• In Gujarat (not Karnataka), the Tourism Department organizes the kite festival

Q32. Share a kite-flying experience.

Let me share a memorable kite-flying experience: Last Makar Sankranti, I went to our building’s terrace with my family to fly kites. The weather was perfect – bright sunshine and steady breeze. My father taught me how to control the kite by adjusting the string tension. At first, it was challenging, but after a few attempts, I managed to keep my kite steady in the air. The sky was filled with kites of different colors, and the sound of people shouting “Kai po che!” created a festive atmosphere. The most exciting moment was when my kite stayed up for nearly ten minutes without falling. Though I lost a couple of kites in kite fights, the experience of flying kites with family and friends made it a special day.

Q33. Write a paragraph about “I am a Kite” (100 words)

I am a diamond-shaped kite with a beautiful rainbow pattern adorning my surface. My spine is made of strong yet flexible bamboo, and my tail has colorful ribbons that help me maintain balance in the wind. I belong to a young girl who treats me with great care. My favorite activities include dancing in the breeze, performing graceful swoops, and participating in friendly kite battles during festivals. I love soaring high above the city, where I can see the world from a unique perspective. To humans, I want to say: “Look up sometimes, and let your imagination soar free like me!”

Q34. Find out the steps to make a kite.

Here are the steps to make a simple diamond kite:

• Materials needed: Two thin bamboo sticks, strong paper, string, scissors, glue, and colored ribbons for the tail
• Step 1: Cross the bamboo sticks to form a ‘+’ shape, with the vertical stick slightly above center
• Step 2: Tie the sticks firmly at the intersection with string
• Step 3: Create a diamond frame by running string around the ends of the sticks
• Step 4: Cover the frame with paper, leaving a small margin to fold over the string
• Step 5: Glue the paper margins over the string frame
• Step 6: Attach the bridle (flying string) to the kite’s spine
• Step 7: Add a tail using ribbons for stability

Q35. Follow the steps and create your own kite to show your teacher and classmates.

To create a successful kite for demonstration:

• Choose lightweight but durable materials to ensure good flight
• Make precise measurements and keep the frame symmetrical
• Test the balance before adding the final decorations
• Create a unique design that represents your personality
• Ensure all joints are secure and the bridle is properly attached
• Add reinforcement at stress points to prevent tearing
• Make the tail adjustable for different wind conditions

Q36. Write a message on the kite.

Here are some creative and meaningful messages to write on a kite:

• “Soar high, dream big!”
• “Peace and harmony for all”
• “Let your dreams take flight”
• “Nature is our best friend”
• “Unity in diversity – Happy Independence Day!”

These messages combine positivity with cultural values and environmental awareness.

Q37. Complete the conversation by filling in the blanks with ‘parts of a kite’ words.

The completed conversation:

• Bina: I love the long yellow tail at the end of my kite. What colour is your kite?
• Saroj: My kite’s cover is pink. The spine is black.
• Bina: Oh wonderful! My kite line is red. The reel that wraps it is green. I really like it.
• Saroj: My kite line is red too. The tip of my kite has a blue nose.

Q38. Create a cinquain poem yourself on anything you like.

Here’s a cinquain poem about the sun:

• Sunlight
• Bright, warm
• Shining, glowing, nurturing
• Bringing life and joy
• Star-king

This follows the cinquain format with its specific structure: one word, two describing words, three action words, a four-word phrase, and a final summary word.

Q39. Circle the words that match with the ‘drift’ movement.

From the given options, these words match with ‘drift’ movement:

• Slow – because drifting is a gentle, unhurried movement
• Float – as it describes similar passive movement through air
• Downward – since drifting often involves descending gently

Words like ‘fast’ and ‘quick’ don’t match because drifting implies a more relaxed, flowing movement.