Learn: Kite Words and a Cinquain

Class 6 English · Chapter 14: The Kites · NCERT Poorvi section pp. 144–147

Learn

Parts of a kite: the nose (top tip), the spine (the stick down the middle), the cover (paper or cloth), the kite line (the string you hold), the tail (keeps it steady) and the reel (the spool for the string; in many places called a charkhi).

A cinquain is a five-line poem. Line 1: a noun (Kite). Line 2: two describing words (Bright, light). Line 3: three action words (Dancing, climbing, swooping). Line 4: two adverbs (Gently, proudly). Line 5: a synonym or another name for line 1 (Sky-bird). Try writing one in the shape of a kite!

Movement words: drift and float (move slowly with the air), glide (move smoothly), soar (fly high), dive and swoop (rush downwards), circle (go round). Expressions from the poem: up in the air (high above the ground; also, not yet decided), look right down (look straight below), stay up there (remain high), stand and stare (look for a long time in surprise).

Explore: build a cinquain.

1. Put the lines in cinquain order: noun, 2 describing words, 3 actions, 2 adverbs, synonym.

Remember

• Kite parts: nose, spine, cover, kite line, tail, reel.
• A cinquain: noun / 2 describing words / 3 actions / 2 adverbs / synonym.

Quick check

Which part of a kite keeps it steady in the air?

1. the tail
2. the nose
3. the reel
4. the cover

Think about it

Write a cinquain about the moon or the sea.

Practice

Practise with fresh questions at three levels (easy, medium, hard), some answered hands-on, with hints and worked answers. Get 4 of your last 5 right to finish the topic.