NCERT Class 2 English Unit 5 Poem: Zoo Manners

Poem Explanation & Stanza Wise Meaning

The poem 'Zoo Manners' teaches us to treat zoo animals with care and respect. Let us look at what the poet wants us to learn:

• Stanza 1: The poet warns us to be very careful about what we say or do when we visit the animals at the zoo. Animals observe us just as we observe them!
• Stanza 2: We should not make fun of the camel's hump. The camel is very proud of his 'noble' bump, which helps him survive in the hot desert.
• Stanza 3: We shouldn't laugh too much at the Chimpanzee. He is highly intelligent and believes he is just as wise and smart as humans!
• Stanza 4: The elegant Penguins walking proudly ('strutting') around the lake can understand everything we say. We must speak kindly around them.
• Stanza 5: If we treat the animals with love and respect, they will welcome us warmly every time we visit the zoo.

Important Words and Meanings

Manners

Polite ways of behaving with others.

Proud

Feeling pleased and satisfied with something you have or are.

Noble

Something dignified, grand, or deserving respect.

Wise

Having knowledge, smartness, and good judgment.

Strutting

Walking with a proud, stiff, and confident step.

Remarks

Comments or things that people say about someone or something.

Steps to Practice Good Manners at the Zoo

1. Step 1: Walk Quietly and Observe — Enter the zoo calmly. Do not scream or make loud noises as this can frighten the animals.
2. Step 2: Do Not Tease or Mock — Never laugh at an animal's natural features, such as a camel's hump or a monkey's tail. Respect their uniqueness.
3. Step 3: Keep a Safe Distance — Do not go too close to the cages or fences. Respect the animals' personal space for safety.
4. Step 4: Speak Kindly — Always talk in gentle tones. Animals can feel our energy and respond positively to kind gestures.

Exam Tips & Common Spelling Mistakes

When writing your Class 2 English answers, pay close attention to spelling. Many students lose marks on these words:

1. Chimpanzee: Remember it has double 'e' at the end (C-h-i-m-p-a-n-z-e-e).
2. Penguin: Watch out for the 'u' (P-e-n-g-u-i-n).
3. Strutting: Remember the double 't' (s-t-r-u-t-t-i-n-g).

Exam Tip: Always write your answers in complete sentences. Instead of writing just 'proud' for why the camel holds its head up, write: 'The camel is proud of his noble hump.'

Practice Questions with Solutions

• Q: What does the poet warn us to be careful about at the zoo?
  A: Step 1: Read the first stanza of the poem which mentions our actions and speech.
  Step 2: Formulate a simple sentence.
  Final answer: The poet warns us to be careful about what we say or do when we visit the animals at the zoo.

• Q: Why should we not laugh at the Chimpanzee?
  A: Step 1: Think about what the chimpanzee thinks of himself according to the poem.
  Step 2: Express this in a simple sentence.
  Final answer: We should not laugh at the Chimpanzee because he thinks he is as wise and smart as humans.

• Q: What are the penguins doing, and what can they do?
  A: Step 1: Identify the action of the penguins around the lake, which is 'strutting'.
  Step 2: State what they can understand (our remarks).
  Final answer: The penguins are strutting around the lake, and they can understand the remarks or comments we make.

• Q: How can we make sure we are always welcome at the zoo?
  A: Step 1: Recall the last stanza of the poem which talks about treating animals well.
  Step 2: Write down the condition to be welcomed.
  Final answer: We can make sure we are always welcome at the zoo by treating the animals as well as they treat us.

Frequently Asked Questions