CBSE Class 4 English Unit 8: Books & Going to buy a book

Understanding the Poem: 'Books'

The poem 'Books' invites us to explore a library, which is described as a magical room where books wait to be opened. The library door invites us to 'Come in, come in!' As we step inside, we see books of all shapes and sizes. Some are tall and thin, standing straight on high shelves, while others are little and fat, bursting with pictures and stories. When we open a book, we see 'pictures galore'—meaning an abundance of beautiful images that tell their own stories. The poet teaches us that books are silent friends that speak directly to our imagination. When you read, you are never alone because each page opens up a new world.

Deep Dive into the Story: 'Going to buy a book'

In this story, a grandfather gives his grandchildren some money to buy books. This simple task turns into an exciting adventure of making choices. The children face several questions: Should they go to a big bookshop or a small one? Should they go now or later? They choose a small, cozy bookshop where the owner is helpful. Next, they face the ultimate reader's dilemma: what kind of book to buy? One child wants a book with pictures, another wants an exciting story, and another wants a book with many words. Ultimately, the girl sits on the floor while her brother sits on a chair, and they read quietly for hours. This teaches us that finding the right book takes patience and curiosity.

Key Vocabulary from Unit 8

Library

A building or room containing collections of books, periodicals, and sometimes files for people to read, borrow, or refer to.

Galore

In great amounts or numbers; abundant. For example: "There were books galore on the shelves."

Shelves

Thin, flat, long pieces of wood, metal, or glass fastened to a wall or in a cabinet, used to store things like books.

Whispered

Spoke softly using one's breath rather than one's vocal cords, especially for the sake of secrecy.

Exam Tips and Common Pitfalls

Many Class 4 students lose marks by confusing singular and plural words, especially 'shelf' (singular) and 'shelves' (plural). Remember to drop the 'f' and add 'ves'. Another common mistake is choosing the wrong conjunction when joining sentences. Use 'and' when adding similar ideas, 'but' when showing contrast (opposites), and 'or' when offering a choice. In exam comprehension questions, always quote details directly from the chapter text rather than guessing.

Practice Questions with Solutions

• Q: Why did the grandfather give the children money? A: Step 1: Recall the beginning of the story 'Going to buy a book'. Step 2: Identify the characters' action. The grandfather saw that the children wanted to read. Step 3: State the reason clearly. Final answer: The grandfather gave the children money to buy books because they both loved reading and wanted to get new books.
• Q: Where did the children decide to go to buy books, and why? A: Step 1: Look at the choices the children had (big market, small shop, alone, or with grandfather). Step 2: Explain where they went. They chose the small bookshop. Step 3: Explain why they liked it. The shop was small but had many books, and the owner was very friendly and helpful. Final answer: The children went to a small bookshop because it was quiet, the owner liked them, and he always helped them choose the right books.
• Q: Join these two sentences using a suitable conjunction: 'I wanted to buy a picture book.' 'My brother wanted to buy a story book.' A: Step 1: Analyze the two ideas. They represent two different choices made by two different people. Step 2: Since there is a contrast between what 'I' wanted and what 'my brother' wanted, we use the conjunction 'but'. Step 3: Combine them into a single smooth sentence. Final answer: I wanted to buy a picture book, but my brother wanted to buy a story book.
• Q: What did the girl do when she could not decide which book to buy in the shop? A: Step 1: Think about how the children settled down in the bookshop. Step 2: Identify the girl's specific action. Step 3: Combine the actions to explain her behavior. Final answer: When she could not decide, the girl sat down on the floor of the bookshop, started reading different books patiently, and finally chose a fat book with many stories.

Frequently Asked Questions