Listen, Speak, Write and Explore

Class 6 English · Chapter 14: The Kites · NCERT Poorvi section pp. 147–150

Learn

Listening (the Kite Festival): in the book, a speaker describes India's Kite Festival at Makar Sankranti in January. People fly kites from terraces and rooftops and take part in competitions. In Western India it is called Uttarayan; Gujarat is the main centre, and it is also celebrated in Rajasthan and Telangana. Karnataka's Tourism Department holds a festival every year, Punjab flies kites at Basant Panchami and Baisakhi, and many Indians fly kites on Independence Day.

Speaking: share a kite-flying (or kite-watching) experience: Where? When? Why? How? Speak in complete sentences. Writing: imagine you are a kite and write about 100 words titled "I am a Kite": your shape and colours, who you belong to, what you do, who your friends are, and a message for humans (for example, "please don't use glass-coated string; it hurts birds").

Explore: kites appear in old Indian texts: the 13th-century Marathi saint-poet Namadeva called a kite a gudi and mentioned kites made of kaagad (paper). Kites come in many types: diamond, delta, box, parafoil and rokkaku. Find out the steps to make a simple diamond kite, make one, and write a message on it, such as "Happy Independence Day!"

Explore: kite festival facts.

1. Match each fact.

Remember

• The Kite Festival is held at Makar Sankranti (January); called Uttarayan in Western India.
• Namadeva called a kite a gudi; kites can be diamond, delta, box, parafoil or rokkaku.

Quick check

What is the Kite Festival called in Western India?

1. Uttarayan
2. Onam
3. Bihu
4. Pongal

Think about it

Write the opening two lines of "I am a Kite".

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.