English Skill 6

Reading

20 Read and learn.

Three Simple Rules

-Adapted from a Thai folktale

Have you been to Khopche? It is a village in the
northern part of Nepal. Khopche was not like
this. It was a trade route. Traders from Nepal
used to pass by this village when they went to
Lhasa. With the construction of a blacktopped
road, Khopche lost its glory. Today I am going
to tell you a story linked to that same village.

Harka Bahadur was a rich man from Khopche.
He had connections with traders and officials.
He made money from different means. However,
his thirst for money never ended. He always
wished he had more money than ever.

His fenced garden had several flower bushes. He
even had wild fowls like peacocks and mynahs
in it. One day he was strolling in his garden. All of a sudden, his eyes fell on
a strange bird. This little bird was weird. It had exceptionally excellent and
brilliant highlights. It could sing with a sweet, melodious and mellifluous
sound. Harka Bahadur had never seen a bird like that. He went close to the
shrub and caught the bird. The bird started to talk. “Why have you caught
me?" it asked.

“I want to make money by selling you to the traders,” Harka replied. “I
know I can make a nice profit out of you.”

"You are already rich. Why do you need more?" the winged creature asked.

"I want to be the wealthiest of all," answered Harka.

"If that is the case, you are doomed. You won’t be able to sell me off. In
detention, I would lose my colour and voice. I would lose my majestic look
and turn into a tiny black creature.”

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The bird then transformed into a very ugly
and repulsive small creature with black
feathers like that of a crow.

Now Harka was sure that his dream had
been shattered. Visibly angry, he said, “Now
I will kill and eat you.”

“You won’t be able to satisfy your hunger
that way. I would be nothing in your frying
pan,” the bird spoke. “Instead, I ask you to
set me free. If you do so, I will reveal you
three fundamental rules of life.”

“I need no rules,” Harka said. “I need
money. Can you give me money?”

"But these tenets can benefit you
significantly," replied the bird.

"Benefit me? Really?" Harka wondered. "In that case, I should set you free.
But, how can I believe you? You may just fly away."

"I give you my words. Trust me, I keep my words," said the bird.

The man let the bird fly off his hands and asked, “Now tell me the rules.”

"Absolutely," said the bird. "The most significant rule is never believe all
that others say to you. Never be miserable about something you don't have.
And, then, never discard what you have in your hands."

"You cheat," yelled Harka. "These rules are known to everyone. You have
tricked me."

The bird went on, "Don’t panic, Harka! Take your seat and listen to me.
Consider each of your activities today. You had me in your hand, yet
you released me. You trusted all that I said. What's more, you are sad for
not having me. The guidelines are basic. You knew them. But you never
followed them. Do you see the value of these principles now?" Saying so,
the bird vanished in the bushes.

Some days ago, when I was passing by the village, I saw Harka Bahadur
still looking for the bird in the bushes. Do you think he can catch it again?

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Comprehension

21 From the text, find the words which mean the following.

a. slowly d. very good
b. walking freely e. as a result
c. prettily f. remarkably

22 Are the following statements true or false?

a. Kopche lies on a trade route to Lhasa.
b. Harka Bahadur wanted to be the richest person.
c. The bird could sing prettily.
d. The bird lost its beauty in confinement.
e. Harka Bahadur was happy at the end.

23 Answer the following questions.

a. Why did Kopche lose its glory?
b. What was the main aim of Harka Bahadur in his life?
c. Why couldn't Harka make money from the bird?
d. What were the three simple rules the bird taught?
e. What did the narrator say about Harka Bahadur at the end?
f. What would you do if you were Harka Bahadur? Would you leave

the bird? Why or why not? Write a paragraph and share it in the
class.

Discuss

a. Do you think the narrator is telling the truth? What makes you
think so?

b. What would you do if you happened to find a strange thing? Would
you tell other people about it or keep it to yourself?

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Punctuation

Use of apostrophe (’ )

We use an apostrophe (’ ) where a letter or a number has been omitted.
That means we use apostrophes in short forms of words.

It’s okay to cry when you are sad.
He’s dancing in the party.
They’ll also dance later.
She isn’t dancing.

We use an apostrophe (’ ) to express ownership. Remember we put an 's'
after the apostrophe. But if the noun already had an 's' at its end, we put
the apostrophe after the 's'.
The general’s horse broke his ankle during practice.
These are James’ shoes.

24 Put an apostrophe (’ ) where it is necessary.

a. He is making a paper boat.

b. She cant tell stories.

c. Simrans pen is broken.

d. Have you seen Gagans book?

e. Paras brother is very nice.

f. I met my sisters friends.

f. Hi! My names Lalit. Im twelve and I live in Dhangadi. My family
isnt very big. Ive got two brothers. I havent got a sister but we have
our fathers sister. Shes really nice to us.

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3 Requesting and

Responding

Conversation

1 Listen and practise.

Teacher : Excuse me, Sushma. Can you shut the
door?

Sushma : Sure!
Teacher : Thanks!
Sushma : No problem.

Kusum : Hello, dad! Where are you now?

Dad : Hi Kusum! I am here at office.

Kusum : Dad, could you please bring me a colour box when you come
home in the evening?

Dad : I'm sorry, Kusum. I will return too late this evening. I have a
meeting. Can you give me a day or two?

Kusum : Sure, dad! It'll be okay for me to have it in a couple of days.

Shopkeeper : Excuse me, can I help you?

Sujit : Of course, you can. Could you give me a tube of
toothpaste, please?

Shopkeeper : You can get it from the right corner.

Sujit : Well, I can't reach the top. Could you help me, please?

Shopkeeper : Sure! Here is your toothpaste. Rs. 30 please.

Sujit : Here you are, that's Rs. 10 and that's Rs. 20.

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2 Listen and sing.

Can I ask you for a favour?
Can I request you to help me?
Could you please be a friend of mine?
Would you stay with me?

Would you mind going out with me?
Could you bring us some food?
We will go on a trip.
We will pass by the wood.

We will reach the land of dream.
We will have pie and cream.
We will be friends forever.
Could you just come with me?

Speaking

Request

You request people when you want them to do something for you.
Requests are polite. Here are some structures or expressions you may
use to request someone to do something.

Requesting Accepting Requests Refusing Requests

Can/ Could you ..... ? Sure, I'd be glad to.... I'd love to but...

Will/ Would you ......? Of course! I'm afraid I can't...

Please...... Sure! I'm sorry, I can't...

I would appreciate if No problem. I'm not sure when?

you could ....... Certainly. Sorry to say that I
would not be ....
Would you mind + Not at all. Yes, I'm afraid I do.
v-ing..... please?

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3 Work in pairs to make polite requests using the clues.
First accept the requests. Then, practise refusing them.

a. Ask a friend for a favour.
b. Ask a policeman to give you directions.
c. Ask a friend to lend you something (a book/ ruler).
d. Ask a friend to get you something.
e. Ask someone to open the door for you.
f. Ask a friend to buy you something from the shop.
g. Ask a shopkeeper to show you a thing you want to buy.
h. Ask a waiter to bring you the bill.

Reading

4 Read and act.

The Frog Prince

- Adapted from German Fairy Tale

Not so long ago and not so far away,
there was a mighty king ruling his vast
empire. He had a beautiful daughter
whom he loved so dearly. He had given
her everything she wanted. However, she
did not have any brother or sister. She
didn’t like adults playing with her. She
loved to play alone in the palace garden
tossing around her favourite thing, a
beaming golden ball.

The problem with playing alone was that no one was ever there to catch
the ball if she tossed it too high in the air. One day, as she was running
around lilies and daisies and hedges and roses, she tossed her ball higher
in the air than she ever had done before.

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SPLASH!!

Her beautiful golden

ball had plopped

right into a small

pond nearby! She ran

over to the pond and

watched sadly as the

golden sphere sank

deeper and deeper

into the water. The

princess looked

down at her dress. She was wearing her favourite golden dress; the

sparkles and gems on the front of the brilliant gown were rare and she

was afraid that if she entered the water she would destroy her outfit.

Frustrated with her situation, the princess began to cry.

Suddenly, the princess heard a strange noise coming from the middle of
the water. Hop! Hop!

“Don’t you know how to swim?” asked a small frog. The princess looked
at the sight of the green creature sitting on a lily pad.

“I do,” she replied.

“Well, why don't you come on in?” he asked.

“I don't want to spoil my beautiful golden dress!” the princess replied,
rolling her eyes at the frog.

“Well, I suppose I could get it for you...” the frog started.

“You can? Oh! Please do! Please do!” she cried.

But before he jumped into the water, the frog turned to her and asked:

“What will you give me in return for getting your golden ball for you?”

“Oh! You can have anything you desire!” the princess replied, impatient
to be playing again.

“Will you be my friend forever? Would you spend time with me? Could
you eat supper with me? Will you read stories for me? Would you let
me sleep on your bedside? Would you give me a good-night kiss? I need

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no jewel or property, I just want you to take me as your friend,” the frog
said.

“Anything! Anything!” the princess cried.

And with that, the small green frog jumped into the water and retrieved
the princess' golden ball. The minute he handed it over, the princess ran
around giggling and tossing her ball up in the air again; soon she had
completely forgotten the frog.

At supper, the girl was seated at the table with her father, the king. Before
either of them could take a bite, there was a small knock on the door.
The king got up and walked to open it. Hop! Hop! Hop! In walked the
small green frog.

“I have come to eat supper with you, princess!” the frog said happily,
hopping up on the table. The princess gently grabbed the frog and placed
him outside the door.

SLAM!!

She turned her heel and sat down at her spot, ignoring the suspicious
look from the king.

“And who was that, princess?” he asked her.

“Oh, no one,” she replied.

The stern look from her father caused her to go
red with embarrassment. She told him that she
had promised the frog that she would spend time
with him, and eat supper with him, and read for
him, and let him sleep with her, and kiss him good-
night.

“But I don't want to hang out with him. He's gross!”
she continued.

“A promise is a promise, princess. We must always
keep our promises,” the king said wisely. With that the girl slowly
shuffled over to the door and opened it up.

Hop! Hop! Hop!

The frog ate supper with her, and then followed the princess into her

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bedroom. She gradually turned
to reading a book.

“What are you reading?” he
asked, trying to peer over her
shoulder to see.

“Nothing,” she replied,
shrugging him off.

Sad, the frog hopped over to her
bed and sat down on her pillow.
Before he could get comfortable, the princess ran over to him, picked
him up, and placed him by the window.

“But you promised!” he cried.

She sighed and took him back with her to bed. She read him a bedtime
story and, surprisingly, the frog was quite smart and funny. She actually
enjoyed his company.

When it was time to sleep, the frog asked her for a bedtime kiss. She
refused.

The princess shut out the light and tried to go sleep. Suddenly, she heard
a weeping sound. She turned the light back on to see the frog beside her,
wiping tears from his eyes.

She was hit with a wave of guilt for making the poor frog cry. She tucked
him in bed beside her and kissed him gently.

WHOOOSH!!

All of a sudden, the small green frog transformed into a handsome young
prince right before her eyes; she jumped back from the bed in surprise.
The prince informed her that an evil witch had put a spell on him and
only a kiss could return him to his original state. It just so happened that
the princess was the first one to break the spell.

Then, he kneeled down, took her hand in his hand and said, “Will you
marry me? Would you go with me to my father’s kingdom.” The young
princess didn’t take long to agree. The king gave the princess one of his
horses. The young prince and princess rode off together to his father’s
castle. They married and lived happily for a great many years.

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Comprehension

5 Match the opposites.

a. adults ____ suddenly

b. gradually ____ youngsters

c. ignore ____ unquestionable

d. suspicious ____ regard

e. evil ____ disagree

f. agree ____ righteous

6 Write true or false.

a. The princess was walking her dog in the park when she saw a frog.

b. The frog dived into the water, but he could not find the golden
ball.

c. The princess was not happy to live with the frog, but she had to.

d. The frog slept next to the princess for three days.
e. The prince came to the castle to ask for his frog and get him back.

7 Answer the questions.

a. What was the princess doing when she dropped her golden ball
into the lake?

b. What was she ready to offer if the frog brought her the golden ball?

c. What promises did she have to keep because the frog brought her
the golden ball?

d. Why did the princess have to let the frog live with her?

e. What happened to the frog in the end?

f. Have you ever promised something to someone? Were you able to
keep the promise?

g. Imagine you were the princess. Now, tell the story.

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Listening

8 Look at the picture and make a guesswork.
Then, listen and confirm.

a. What has happened to the
person?
b. Why is the person in bed?
c. Guess his name.

9 Listen and write true or false.

a. Kabin has not gone to school since Sunday.
b. He will go to school on Thursday.
c. Kiran is ready to take his project work to school.
d. Kiran is not sure that he would bring Kabin's lunch box.
e. Kabin left his lunch box yesterday.

10 Listen and answer.

a. Why did Kabin not come to school?
b. Where did Kabin go on Monday?
c. Which day is Kabin calling Kiran?
d. When is the deadline for the submission?
e. Why does Kabin not miss the deadline?
f. When should Kiran come to see Kabin?

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Grammar

Using modal verbs: will, would, can, could

You can use modal verbs to make requests in most situations. You
should add 'please' to such requests to make them more polite.

Can we have two glasses of water, please?

You can put 'please' in front of the verb to make a request stronger.

Can we please have two glasses of water?

You should use will you with people you know
well: Will you help me?

To make your requests formal and more polite,
you should use could or would.

Would you help me, sir?

Could you please shut the window? It is so cold here.

11 Choose the correct modal verb in the dialogue.

a. (Can / May)________ you turn the radio down? I need to study this
morning.

b. John, _________ (will / may) you help me with these books?
c. _________ (Could / May) you close the window, please?
d. Excuse me, _________ (will / would) you mind passing me the

pencil?
e. (Will / May) _________ you pick up some milk on the way home

this afternoon?
f. (Could / May)________ you lock the door on your way out? My

hands are full.
g. _________ (May / Will) you lend me your dictionary for a moment?
h. Everybody, please, _________ (may / could) you listen to me for a

moment?

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12 Choose the correct modal verb to complete the dialogue.

Stranger : Excuse me, _________ (could / may) you tell me the way to
the tourist office, please?

Manu : Of course, it's just over there at the corner.

Stranger : Thank you. _________ (Will / May) I ask
you a question?

Manu : Please do.

Stranger : (3) _________ (Could / Would) you mind
helping me cross the road? My eyesight
isn't very good.

Manu : My pleasure.

13 Choose the correct phrases and complete the dialogue.

a. OK. I will. b. No, thank you. c. Can I speak to Arjun?

d. Who is speaking? e. This is Asha f. Where has Arjun gone

g. May I know who is on the line? h. please give him a message

i. We have a special class tomorrow so ask him to reach school half
an hour earlier.

Reena : Hello. (1) _________________________?

Asha : Arjun is not at home right now. (2) __________________.

Reena : This is Reena, his friend. (3) __________________?

Asha : (4)______________, his sister.

Reena : Hello, Asha. (5) __________________?

Asha : Arjun has gone to his taekwondo class.

Reena : OK. Can you (6) _______________________________?

Asha : (7)____________________________________.

Reena : (8)_______________________________. Please don't forget.

Asha : Anything else?

Reena : (9) _______________________________. Bye.

Asha : Bye

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Reading

14 Read and match.

Balaju, Kathmandu 1
14 June 2021 2

The Class Teacher 3
Grade Six
Durbar High School
Jamal, Kathmandu

Dear Madam, 4 5

I am really sorry that I was not able to come to school for a couple
of days because I broke my arm and had to go to hospital.

The accident had happened the other evening. It was raining and
the streets outside my house were very slippery. I rushed out with
an umbrella for my father as he was waiting for me on the other
side of the road near home. As I was crossing the road, I slipped
there and broke my arm. I was taken to the hospital where the
doctor plastered my arm. He advised a couple of days of rest for
me.

I would also like to request you to let me know how I can cover
what I've missed in the classes. I promise that I will complete all
the assignments and catch up with the class soon. I am looking
forward to your help with the missed lessons.

Yours sincerely, 6

Om Shrestha 7
Grade 6 C

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Comprehension

15 The parts of the letter have been numbered. Write the
number in the box to match with the name of the part.

signature sender's address / return address

body complimentary closing

salutation inside address of the recipient

date

16 Read the letter and answer the following questions.

a. When was the letter written?
b. Who wrote this letter?
c. Who is this letter addressed to?
d. Where was the letter written from?
e. Is the letter formal or informal? What complimentary remarks has

been used before the signature?
f. What is the sender talking about? What has happened to him?

17 Read the letter and fill in the blanks.

Om is a student of ___________________________ in grade six. He wrote
this letter to inform the teacher that ___________________ and he was not
able to attend the classes for ___________________. In the letter written
on ___________________ from ___________________ he also promises
that he will complete his remaining tasks. Moreover, he has requested
his teacher ___________________________.

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Writing

18 Use the ideas below to complete the application.

I am sorry to inform you that I will not be able to attend your football
camp next week. / I hope I will be able to attend the next one./ He told
me that I was ill and should stay at home./ He also said that I will
need rest for at least a week to recover fully.

New Road, Kathmandu
29 June 2021

Bishwash Lama
The Football Coach
XYZ School
Kathmandu

Dear Sir,
(1)......................................................................................................I am very
ill and need some rest at home.

I became sick a few days ago and I went to the doctor yesterday. (2) ......
..............................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................(3).......................
..............................................................................................................................
.................................................

As a result, I will not be able to come to your football camp. (4) ...............
...............................................................................................................

I am still looking forward to improving my football playing skills.

Yours sincerely,
Kashish Shah
Grade 6A

19 Now write a leave application to your class teacher asking
him to grant you a day's leave to attend your uncle's marriage.

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Listening

20 Listen to Sunita talking about her family and fill in
the boxes.

Name : Sunita age :
Surname : age :
Father :
Job : age :
Mother :
Job : age :
Sister : age :
Brother :

Grammar

Using have

We use have + a noun to show possession or ownership, relationship or
parts of a whole.
My father has a new laptop.
She has a friend in Pokhara.
This chair has three legs.

Have can also mean to experience or to take part in an activity.
We have fun in our class.
We have our dinner at 8 pm.
We have a party tonight.

We use have with plural subjects and has with singular subjects.

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21 Complete the sentences using have or has.

a. There is a big mall near our house. It _______ everything we need.
b. Our house _______ four floors.
c. All the students in our class _______ the uniform.
d. Our teachers _______ special techniques to make us work.
e. We _______ a lot of fun in our class.
f. Miss Honey, our English teacher _______ a good sense of humour.
g. My little brother _______ a very cute face.
h. A dog _______ 42 teeth.
i. The river near our house _______ very clean water.
j. Our country _______ seven provinces.

22 Complete the sentences to form a paragraph. Use
have, has, am, is or are in the spaces.

Let me tell you about my laptop. My father
gave it to me some six months ago. It ______
an old laptop but it ______ a good computer.
It only weighs about a kilogram, so it ______
not very heavy. It ______ great speakers
and it also ______ a bright colourful screen.
So, it ______ great for movies and music.
It ______ also good for checking email. I
______ a student. Therefore, my laptop
______ very important for me. I use it to do
almost all my homework and projects. This
laptop also ______ a webcam. I use it to talk to my friends online. I ______
a lot of friends and we ______ very happy to see one another and talk
over the internet. Sometimes, I ______ problems with my computer. For
example, the battery ______ not very strong. Also, the computer ______
slow. I want a new one but good laptops ______ very expensive and my
father does not ______ much money.

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Writing

23 Now read the description of a laptop once again and
write a similar paragraph about one of your belongings.

Remember:
To write a good paragraph you need a good topic sentence. A good
topic sentence mentions the topic and a controlling idea for the
paragraph. The body of the paragraph has to give the details. You
should end your paragraph with a good concluding sentence.

Use the brainstorming

Topic : any of your belongings (________________________________)
Its features:
Colour ____________________ Type ______________________________
Size ______________________ Weight _____________________________
Who gave it to you? ____________________________________________
When do you use it? ____________________________________________
How do you feel while using it? ________________________________
Do you want to change it? Why or why not?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

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4 Expressing Good

Wishes

1 Listen and sing the Christmas carol.

We wish you a Merry Christmas,
We wish you a Merry Christmas,
We wish you a Merry Christmas, and a
Happy New Year!
Good tidings to you, wherever you are;
Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy
New Year!

Oh, bring us a figgy pudding;
Oh, bring us a figgy pudding;
Oh, bring us a figgy pudding, and a cup
of good cheer.

We won't go until we get some;
We won't go until we get some;
We won't go until we get some, so bring
some right here.

We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a
Happy New Year.

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Conversation

2 Listen and practise.

Rajiv : Ramram, Dilip! Happy
Maghi!

Dilip : Thank you, Rajiv.
Happy Maghi to you,
too!

Sumina : Phyaphulla!

Dolma : Phyaphulla! Happy Lhosar,
Sumina!

Sumina : Thank you, Happy Lhosar to
you, too!

Kumar : Hi, Sona!

Sona : Hello, Kumar. How are you?

Kumar : I'm fine. By the way, I'm going
to ABC with my uncle next
week.

Sona : Really? Have a great journey!
Enjoy it.

Kuamr : Thanks!

Speaking

Extending best wishes

When festivals are around, people exchange greetings and best wishes.
They also extend best wishes on birthdays and weddings.

Your friends and family must have wished you well on your birthday.
What did they say?

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3 Work in pairs to express best wishes to each other on
the following occasions.

a. Dashain b. Tihar c. Chhath

d. Holi e. Eid f. Teej

g. Buddha Jayanti h. Shivaratri i. Gauraparba

j. going on holiday

Note:

People of different communities greet in different ways. Can you
guess which community uses the given greeting?

• As Salaam Alaikum/ Wa-Alaikum-Salaam • Taremaam!

• Lhaso! • Ramram!

Reading

4 Read and learn.

The Sontang Ghyang Guthi would like to extend the best wishes
on the auspicious occasion of Sonam Lhosar. May this Lhosar bring

peace, harmony and prosperity to you and your family!

Happy Lhosar-2077!

Sontang Ghyang Guthi

Nuwakot, Nepal

We wish you all good health, prosperity and peace
of mind on this special festival of Udhauli. May you
celebrate this day with full festivity and joy. Wishing
you the best and offering you the warmest of greetings!

Happy Udhauli Festival-2077
Students of Grade Six
Jyoti Secondary School
Ilam, Npeal

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May this Maghi be an opportunity for you to
bring all the happiness in your life! May your
life be as sweet as Chaku! Ghee and yam be
there for you in this and every other wintry
morning. May this Maghi bring peace and

harmony among friends and family!
Happy Maghi - 2077
Kailali Tharu Samaj
Kailali

EId Mubarak!

We pray that Allah's blessings would
fill your life with pleasure and open the
doors of success today, tomorrow and

always.

Jame Masjid

Ghantaghar, Kathmandu

Comprehension

5 Match the words with their meanings.

a. auspicious ___ particular time when something happens
b. occasion ___ typical of winter
c. prosperity ___ suggesting a good future
d. wintry ___ in perfect agreement
e. pray ___ prayers asking for God’s help
f. harmony ___ a time of celebration or festival
g. blessings ___ to speak to God
h. festivity ___ state of being successful or rich

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6 Complete the table.

Which festival is it? Who offer the Which community
wishes? celebrates it?

Sonam Lhosar Tamang

Kirant

Tharu

Muslim

Writing

7 Read the Dashain greeting below. Then, write a similar
message for any other festival or occasion you like.

Wishing you a joyous and happy Dashain.
May Goddess Durga bless you with the
power to overcome all odds in your life!
Happy Dashain

8 Prepare a greeting card extending best wishes on the
occasion of a festival you mark.

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Reading

13 Discuss among friends.

Which temple is this?
What festival is being celebrated here?
Have you tuned to a live radio broadcast of a similar programme?

14 Read and answer the questions.

Where are the presenters broadcasting the programme from?
Which section of the Ring Road has been blocked?

Every year there is a big fair in Pashupatinath Temple on the day of
Shivaratri. Thousands of devotees come to the temple to offer worship
to Lord Shiva. It is one of the greatest events of the city. Many radio
stations and TV channels give a live broadcast from the temple on that
day. Today you are going to see the script of a live broadcast aired on
Radio Nepal.

Dear audiences, welcome to our live broadcast from Pashupatinath
Temple on this special day of Shivaratri. We are standing on a hill, east
of the temple. From here, we can have a wide view.

For today’s programme, the police have blocked the Ring Road section
from Chabahil to Gaushala. There is an overwhelming crowd of people.
They are trying to get into the temple as the police manage the queues.
Two thousand and five hundred police officers are working for the
security of devotees here today. One thousand students are also helping

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the police. The students from different schools in the valley are helping
the senior citizens to manage their entry. Nepal Scouts and Nepal Red
Cross Society have put up several first aid stalls. Volunteers are giving the
first aid to the people needing it. Groups of youths are serving drinking
water to the devotees. Some devotees are buying flowers and fruits to
offer to Lord Pashupatinath.

In a different scene, some monkeys
are playing on the roof of the
temple. Time and again they go to
the ground and pick up the fruits
offered by the devotees. Some
babas are performing their tricks
and people are enjoying them.
Hundreds of people are looking
at the on-going ceremony in the
temple from the Sleshmantakban.

The bells in the temple are ringing all the time and people are singing
Om Namah Shivaya.

Dear audiences, it is so beautiful here. People have decorated the temple
from all around. The temple itself has been painted with beautiful colours,
white and blue. The golden roof of
the temple looks majestic.

At the moment, a group of Indian
devotees is going into the temple.
There are about five hundred
people in the group. Yes, every
year thousands of Hindus from
all around the world come here to
worship Lord Shiva, the god of the
gods, Mahadev.

Dear audiences, you are listening to Radio Nepal. We are bringing you this
live broadcast from Pashupatinath Temple on the occasion of Shivaratri.
Shivaratri is the day of Lord Shiva, or Mahadev. Hindus all over the

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world celebrate this day with fun
and devotion. On this day, many
sadhus come to Pashupatinath
Temple. These sadhus are holy
people. At the moment, a group of
devotees is taking blessings from
the wise sadhus. It is interesting
to see that these ascetics have
nothing but a loincloth on their
body in this bitterly cold weather!

Dear audiences, it is nine o’clock in the morning now. That’s the time for
the news. We’ll be back after the news. Please stay tuned.

Vocabulary

15 Find the words from the text that are similar in
meaning to the given words.

a. wise holy men
b. listeners of a programme
c. religious followers
d. good wishes
e. observe with festivities
f. those who work without being paid

Comprehension

16 State whether the following statements are true or false.

a. Only Nepali people come to Pashupatinath Temple at Shivaratri.
b. Students are not allowed to go in the temple during Shivaratri.
c. You can take a taxi to reach Gaushala from Chabahil on the day of

Shivaratri.
d. The sadhus are wrapped in quilts.
e. The weather is cold.
f. The sadhus don't get any respect on the day of Shivaratri.

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17 Answer the questions.

a. Which festival is being celebrated? Who participate in the festival?
b. What are the monkeys doing?
c. Who are helping the police for the management of the crowd?
d. Can you get some primary aid if you fall sick there?
e. How does the temple look?
f. What programme is coming from Radio Nepal after this?

Grammar

Imperative

In English, We use imperative sentences to command, warn, suggest,
instruct, request or express wishes.

They generally begin with the base form of the verb.

Give me your notebook, please. Stay away from the fence.

Have a great day! Go and catch it!

18 Use imperative sentences to make wishes.

Example: It is the Children's Day.
- Happy Children's Day! Have fun and enjoy the day!
You are a radio host and here is how you end the programme, right?
- Stay tuned and have a great day!

a. Your friend is ready to go for a long journey.
b. One of your friends is Buddhist and this is Buddha Purnima.
c. It's the New Year's Day.
d. It's the Democracy Day.
e. It's the day of Holi.
f. One of your friends is appearing in an examination today.

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Reading

19 Read and learn.

Happy Dipawali

-Amitava Sur

Happy Dipawali to all of you
On the day of Festival Of Light.
Wish you all to be so happy
And with full of delight.

This day is a cheerful day
With all fun and frolics,
Just after the sun sets
The earth is decorated with lights.

Barring cast, creed, religion,
People from all walks of life -
Everybody is with a festive mood
With a smile in this festive night.

Fire works, sparkling with lights and sound
Keep the night alive.
Children are with cheerful glee, youth are agog
Men women, old and young are filled with sea of joy.

Every house is lightened up with
Glittering strips of light.
People are lighting with love
Candles or little lamps.

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This light symbolises -
The lightening of mind,
Removing all darkness
To proceed towards divine.

With brotherhood and fellow feelings
Live a peaceful life.

Festival Of Light brings festivity
Removing all meanness of mind.

Comprehension

20 Match the words with their meanings.

a. frolics ___ happiness, excitement or pleasure

b. creed ___ happy and playful behaviours

c. sparkling ___ extremely good, pleasant or enjoyable

d. glee ___ a set of beliefs

e. divine ___ excited; eager to know or see more

f. agog ___ shining brightly

21 Answer the following questions.

a. What festival is being talked about here?

b. How do people spend the day? And what happens after the
sunset?

c. What do people do to celebrate the festival?

d. Who waits eagerly to see the lights?

e. What does the light symbolise?

f. What does the lighting of mind do?

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Writing

22 Read and write a paragraph.

Tihar is my favourite festival. Tihar, which is also
known as Yamapanchak or Dipawali, is the festival
of lights. Hindus all over the world celebrate it with
much fanfare. The dark night of the new moon
gets lit with colourful lights that brighten faces and
hearts. For this festival, people clean their houses
and shops and get them whitewashed or coloured.
They decorate their houses. People get closer to
nature by worshiping animals such as dogs, cows
and oxen. They also worship the crow that cleans
up our environment. I feel really nice when I carry
the oil-fed lamps lighting them in lines. Worshiping
Goddess Laxmi and playing Deusi Bhailo are other
fun parts of this festival. Most importantly, putting
tika on the day of Bhaitika feels great! I love this
festival because there is no violence there; it is just
fun.

Look at this paragraph. The first sentence is the topic sentence. It brings in
the topic and makes a claim. The body of the paragraph justifies the topic
in details. The clincher or the last sentence tells the same thing as the topic
sentence does but in different words. Now, write a similar paragraph
about a festival you like.

23 Rewrite the paragraph making necessary corrections.

baishak purnima is also called buhha purnima. people celebrate this day
as buddha’s birthday. on this they people visit Buddhist temples and
worship Lord Buddha? They spring festival generally falls in may. it is
one of greatest festival of buddhists.

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Listening

24 Look at the pictures and discuss.

a. What festivals are these photos related to?
b. What are they doing?
c. What do people do in this festival?

25 Listen and write true or false.

a. The festival is celebrated by Hindu women.
b. In the festival the women stay in their homes.
c. The men fast in this festival for the long life of their wives.
d. They sing about their married life.
e. They drink water but eat nothing on the day of Teej.
f. Their songs express their mixed emotions.

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22 Put punctuation marks after spelling correction.

manoj is a deligent student from xyz secondary school in Grade Six he
has many friends Some of his friends are his playmates Every evening
hes busy with monu, kavin, subin and janak they play football in the
park. tomorrow they are playing cricket in bigger ground. Thus his
friends ask him to come early enough. He says sure I'll.

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5 Making Suggestions

Conversation

1 Listen and practise.

Hari : Hello, Mark. Can you come
along with us today?

Mark : Sorry, my friend! I can’t come
with you today. I ought to do
some project work. I have to
catch up with my friends. I
have so much to do.

Hari : You shouldn’t worry so much,
Mark. Don’t be sad. You
ought to relax sometimes. You
should take a break.

Mark : I know, I should. But I can’t
help at the moment.

Hari : Anyway, you’re doing well. You are getting good results. You
should be happy. You oughtn’t add problems to yourself.

Why can’t Mark go with Hari?
Is Mark getting good results?

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Grammar

Should / ought to

We use should or ought to to say something is the right thing to do. The
two mean the same except that ought to is more formal and less common.
You are not well. I think you should see a doctor.
People shouldn’t break their promises.
Muna ought to do that work by tomorrow.

2 Complete the sentences with should, shouldn’t, ought
or oughtn’t.

a. You look tired. You __________ take rest now.
b. I don’t know what I __________ do. It’s terrible here.
c. One __________ be so selfish.
d. Rita, you are overweight. You __________ to go on a diet.
e. Students __________ to do their homework.
f. Milan __________ submit his work by tomorrow.
g. Children __________ to spend much time in front of television.

3 Complete the request sent and the reply by using
should or shouldn’t.

She is Shanta Dahal, a writer of children's books.
One day after reading her book, a child sends her
this letter and this is how she replies.

Dear Madam,

My name is Sujan and I’m 11. My grades are
really bad. I think my school is good enough and
I know I ....................... try a bit harder, but I’m
afraid I can’t be a good student! Can you help
me? What ....................... I do?

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Dear Sujan,
You can be a good student! Here is what you ....................... do:

First of all, you ....................... try to do your homework every day. And
remember, you ....................... watch TV before you do your homework!
School comes first!

If you think your homework is too difficult, you ....................... talk to
your teacher. Ask him or her to help you. And you ....................... waste
time in class. You ....................... listen to your teacher very carefully.
Good luck!

Reading

4 Read and learn.

Nick and Mary are talking about
visiting Nepal. Mary has never come
to Nepal. While here, she plans to go
to the mountains. Nick has been to
the Himalayas more than three times.
That's why Mary seeks his suggestions.

Mary : Hi Nick. Listen, I’m
planning a trip to Nepal
this summer. I know you’ve been there a few times. Do you
have any advice you can give me? I’m a bit worried about the
health aspect of the travel.

Nick : If I were you, I wouldn’t worry much. You ought to use some
common sense and follow a few precautions. You'll be fine.

Mary : So what should I do?

Nick : Well, first of all, you should get some vaccines. If I were you,
I’d take the shots for cholera, tetanus and typhoid. Sometimes,
you might end up drinking unsafe water. Be careful about
that.

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Mary : Sure. But what about altitude sickness? I hear it can be quite
dangerous. People have died of it.

Nick : Yes, but you don’t need to
be worried about it. You
just need to be careful.
First of all, if you ever get
a bad headache or feel
dizzy, you should try to
go to a lower altitude. I
also suggest you drink
lots of water and avoid
too much of walking or
physical activity. There are also some medicines you can take
to prevent altitude sickness. However, I wouldn’t recommend
taking them unless it is highly necessary.

Mary : Is there anything else?

Nick : Yes. I would definitely stay away from dogs. You should also
follow the local guide and the itinerary. That would make your
trip a fun.

Mary : Thank you, Nick! Thank your very much for your suggestions.

Comprehension

5 From the text, find words with similar meanings.

a. unhappy as you think there might be problems
b. illness caused by dirty water causing high fever and pain
c. height above the sea level
d. feeling as if everything is turning round
e. certainly
f. a detailed plan or route of a journey

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6 Write in the correct box Nick's suggestions to Mary.

Necessary Recommended
She must or mustn't She should or shouldn't

Speaking

Making Suggestions

There is more than one way of advising people.

You should/ shouldn’t… Why don’t you…

What about + v-ing... How about + v-ing....

If I were you, I'd.....

7 One of you will share the problem. Others will make
suggestions in the given situation, as in the example.

have a toothache

A : I have a terrible toothache.
B : You should see the dentist.
C : Why don’t you put some clove oil in your teeth?
D : If I were you, I would take the tooth out with

mother's help.

has problem with maths want to learn swimming
mother is angry can’t see properly
want to be a pop star want to be a video jockey (VJ)

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Listening

8 Listen and tick the correct box.

a. Vicky ought to buy his brother a new pencil.

b. Kamala should talk to the principal about her
problem.

c. Amit shouldn’t go to the river
bank.

d. Umesh oughtn’t scold his
sister.

e. Muna should take medicine.

f. Madhu oughtn’t to carry a
mobile to school.

Writing

English is a very important language. To talk to a foreigner,
we have to use English. What should we do to make our
English better? Here are some tips:

• We should listen to our teacher carefully.
• We ought to speak English among ourselves.
• We should watch English programmes on TV.
• We ought not to neglect our studies.
• We should not feel shy about making mistakes.
• We should listen to people talking in English when possible.

9 What should or shouldn't you do to keep your
surroundings clean? Write any five points.

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Reading

10 Read and learn.

Why the Tortoise Has a Cracked Shell

- African folk tale

A long time ago, when

the animals could

still talk, there was a

famine in the land. The

famine was so bad that

there was absolutely

no food to eat in the

animal kingdom.

Many of the animals

were suffering and

dying one by one. The

tortoise would not just leave. He was the most cunning of all the animals

and was determined to find some food for himself and his family.

One day, the tortoise observed that the birds in the kingdom were not
starving like everyone else. They looked fresh and their feathers were
not drying up. He made it his business to find out what their secret was.

Being as cunning and clever as ever, he went to the birds to ask them
what their secret was. Of course, they were unwilling to tell him! After
assuring them that he could help them to get even more food if they
told him their secret, the birds told him the fact. They explained to him
that the people of the sky were responsible for their food. The tortoise
promised to help them get even more food, and with his cunning mind,
he developed a plan. He told the birds that if they helped him get to the
sky, he would be their spokesperson. All the birds, and indeed all the
animals of the kingdom, knew that the tortoise was an amazing orator;
so, they agreed. After discussion, they hatched a plan. Each bird would
contribute a few feathers to the tortoise until he had enough feathers to

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make wings that would allow him
to fly.

On the day that the birds and the
tortoise agreed to go to the sky, the
tortoise put on his plumage and was
finally able to fly. When they all got
to the sky, they were given a grand
welcome. As their spokesperson,
the tortoise introduced himself
and spoke on behalf of the birds. Since he had the most unique and
colorful plumage, the sky people immediately thought that the tortoise
was their chief. When they served the food to their guests, they served
the tortoise first, as a result. The birds were not pleased with that.

However, the tortoise had another trick up his sleeves. He told the birds
that at grand occasions such as these, each animal would take up an
alternative name. After each bird chose a name, the tortoise chose “All
of you” as his name. When the hosts brought more food for their guests,
the tortoise made a point of asking who the food was for. “Well, the food
is for all of you,” the hosts said. Then, the tortoise turned to the birds
and stated that since the food was for “All of you” and his chosen name
was “All of you,” the food was for him alone. The poor birds watched
angrily as the tortoise ate everything!

When it was time to go, the birds were so angry that each of them took
their feathers from the tortoise. He was now unable to fly back home.
Sensing danger, the tortoise begged the birds to send a message to his
wife to bring out all the soft things from his house so that when he
jumped from the sky, he would be okay. All but one of them refused.
The eagle, the angriest of all the birds, agreed to give the message to the
tortoise’s wife.

The eagle flew back to the tortoise’s house and told his wife that the
tortoise requested that she bring out all the sharp and hard things from
the house. Of course, she began to do just that. She brought out the axes,

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the spade, the wooden tables…all the hard things you can think of. With
his limited vision, the tortoise couldn’t see what was being brought out
so he assumed that the eagle had given the right message to his wife.

When the tortoise jumped from the sky, he got the surprise of his life.
He landed on the hardest and sharpest objects and his shell broke into
many pieces. With the help of his wife, he was able to pick them up and
glue them back together. Unfortunately, his previously smooth shell
was never smooth again. The process of putting the pieces together was
less than perfect and his shell became rough.

This is why the tortoise has a cracked shell.

Comprehension

11 Match the words with their meanings.

a. famine ___very good at tricking others

b. cunning ___ making sure

c. assuring ___ a lack of food for a long period of time in an area

d. immediately ___ made a plan (especially a secret plan)

e. hatched ___ promptly or quickly

f. plumage ___ unusual or not like any of others

g. unique ___ denied

h. refused ___before the given time

i. previously ___ a bird’s covering of feathers

12 Make sentences of your own. b. on behalf of
d. unfortunately
a. hatch a plan
c. have something up your sleeves

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13 Put the events in correct order.

a. The tortoise’s wife kept hard things on the ground.
b. The eagle agreed to help the tortoise.
c. The tortoise got the feathers from the birds.
d. The birds took away their feathers from the tortoise.
e. A famine hit the area.
f. The sky people invited the birds for a party.

14 Are the following statements true or false?

a. The birds did not have the effects of famine on them.
b. The birds, at first, were unwilling to share the secret.
c. The tortoise was good at begging.
d. The birds carried the tortoise to the sky.
e. 'All of you' refers to all the birds and the tortoise.

f. The eagle loved the tortoise. Thus, he agreed to give the message
to the tortoise’s wife.

15 Answer the following questions.

a. Why were the birds not hit by the famine?.
b. Why did the birds choose the tortoise as their spokesperson?
c. What would have happened if the tortoise had not chosen his new

name 'All of you'?
d. What should the tortoise have done to come home safely?
e. If you were in place of the wife of the tortoise, would you believe

the eagle? Why?

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Grammar

Conditional Type -II
Use

We use the conditional type to talk about some imaginary situation at
present or to make a suggestion.

Form

If + Past simple + Subject + Would + Base verb.... or
Subject + Would + Base verb.... If + Past simple
Example

If I were a bird, I would fly in the sky. [an imaginary situation at present]

I would reach in time if I were you. [make a suggestion]

16 Match the parts of the sentences. Then write them.

a. If I were you, ___ he would attend the party.

b. If they invited him, ___ I would listen to my parents.

c. I would do it ___ if you studied carefully.

d. If he came early, ___ I would offer myself to god.

e. You would pass the test ___ he could meet the teacher.

f. If I were a flower, ___ if you asked me.

17 Rewrite the following suggestions using conditional type.

a. Why don't you buy a new pencil?
b. You should take the tuition classes.
c. How about setting an alarm?
d. What about asking for your sister's help?
e. You should do your assignment regularly.

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Writing

18 Read the story and discuss the questions that follow.

Two travellers and a bear

On a cold day of winter, two friends set off to travel to the town. They
talked and laughed as they walked along. Snow was falling but the two
were happy for having each other in their company. Each of them liked
the other very much. "I’m glad that we are travelling together," said one.

They arrived in a forest. It was already late when they reached there.
One of the friends said, “It's dark and I'm afraid. Bears may attack us in
the jungle. We should stop here."

The other said, “Oh, don’t worry about the bears. I have fought with a
bear and scared it away. We should not stop here. We should move on."

Listening to his friend, he followed him. Soon, it was night. Some sound
came from behind a bush. Before they could run, the bear was a few
meters away.

The first man ran quickly and climbed
on a tree. The second man asked him
to fight with the bear. But he said,
"You must be mad. Who can fight with
a bear? Run for your life if you can."

Then, the second man followed his
friend and cried, "Help me up."

But the first man pushed his friend
down and said, "There is no place for
you here. Go to the next tree."

The second friend could not run.
He rather lied down on the ground
pretending as if he was dead.

The bear came close to him: “Dinner,
Wow. Man’s meat!" It sniffed the lying

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man. It gave a couple of puff into his ear, then, returned to the jungle.
The first friend saw this all from the tree. He was a little shocked.
As the bear went away, he came down and asked, "What did the bear
say to you? It was telling you something into your ear."
The man replied, "It told me not to make friends with someone, who
leaves a friend in trouble."

Questions

a. How does the story start? Can you think of a different beginning
to this story?

b. When does the story take place? Which season or what time of the
day does it describe?

c. Where does the story take place?

d. Who are the characters in the story? What type of people were
they? If you could, what names would you give the men?

e. What is the problem in the story?

f. Where is the climax in the story? At what point of the story does
the main action happen?

g. Do the characters in the story talk? If there were no dialogues, how
would the story move on?

h. How does the story end? Does it give a clear moral?

19 Develop a story with the help of the given outline.

Wind going around….finds nothing interesting…..challenges the sun
saying, “I am greater than you.”……they agree to a trial….. a traveller
appears……either bids to make him take off his clothes….. the wind wins
the toss….. blows harder and harder….the traveller catches his clothes
even tighter…. The sun shines….gets hotter and hotter…. The traveller
takes off his coat and shirt…. The sun wins...moral.

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Reading

20 Read and learn.

Ramadan Ends in Eid

Ramadan is an Islamic festival that is celebrated by the Muslim people.
It is the ninth month of the Islamic calender and it lasts from the dawn
to dusk for up to 30 days.

Ramadan is a very important time for Muslims and is celebrated all over
the world. During Ramadan, Muslims must pray and fast, which are
two of the five duties the devotees must obey.

During the Ramadan, Muslims all over the world abstain from eating
or drinking anything from the dawn until the sun sets. After sunset,
their families often gather to eat together and celebrate their day of
fasting. Fasting is meant to teach Muslims to be self-disciplined. Prophet
Muhammad, the founder of Islam, was one of the first Muslims to fast.
Other Muslims follow his example.

The end of Ramadan is a big celebration called Eld al-Fitr: The Festival
of the Breaking of the Fast. Muslims celebrate the end of fasting and

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thank the Allah for helping them to be strong enough to fast. Eid al-Fitr
officially begins at the first sight of the new moon in the sky.

On the first morning of Eid al-Fitr, many Muslims meet for special
prayers and have breakfast. They put on their best clothes for what will
be their first meal in the daylight in a month. At their meal, Muslims
often exchange gifts and cards to one another. Celebrations continue
for up to three days. They usually include gatherings to view the new
moon, decorating homes inside and out, family visits, eating special
foods, neighbourhood parties and wearing special, new clothes. People
wish Eid Mubarak (Blessed Eid) or Eid Said (Happy Eid) to one another
on the occasion.

Comprehension

21 From the text, find words with opposite meanings.

a. dusk b. valueless c. separate
d. lead e. informally f. exclude

22 Answer the following questions.

a. What is Ramadan?
b. What does 'fast' mean in the text?
c. Why do Muslims go on a month of fasting?
d. How do they break their fast each day?
e. What does 'Eid-al-Fitr' mean? When does the festival begin?
f. What activities do Muslims do in Eid? Write any four.
g. Do you think fasting in Ramadan would be difficult if the festival

fell in summer? Why?

Approved by the Curriculum Development Centre, Sanothimi, Bhaktapur English Skills Book - 6 99

6 Expressing Intention

with Reasons

Listening

1 Listen and sing.

The Wind and the Leaves

- George Cooper

“Come, little leaves,” said the wind one day,

“Come over the meadows with me and play.

Put on your dresses of red and gold;

For summer is gone, and the days grow cold.”

Soon as the leaves heard the wind’s loud call,
Down they came fluttering, one and all.
O’er the brown field then they danced and flew,
Singing the soft little songs they knew.

Dancing and whirling, the little leaves went,
Winter had called them, and they were content.
Soon, fast asleep on their earthy beds,
The snow laid a coverlet over their heads.

Comprehension

2 From the poem, pick words opposite in meaning to
the following.

a. silent b. winter
c. huge d. unsatisfied

100 English Skills Book - 6 Approved by the Curriculum Development Centre, Sanothimi, Bhaktapur