Day 1: Ghosts on the Verandah Class VII | English | Butterfly Memory in Marble NOTES

WBBSE - Ghosts on the Verandah

Class VII | Blossoms

Ghosts on the Verandah

An interactive journey into folklore and spirits.

The Story Summary

The author and Kamal stay at Anil’s house, where Anil’s mother shares chilling folklore. From Jinns attracted to beauty to Munjias hiding in peepul trees, her stories leave the boys terrified. The night takes a chaotic turn when a misunderstanding causes Anil's mother to collapse, and Kamal’s attempts to calm the air only make it more eerie.

গল্পের সারসংক্ষেপ

অনিলের মায়ের মুখে শোনা ভূতের গল্প লেখক এবং কমলকে আতঙ্কিত করে তোলে। তিনি জিন এবং মুঞ্জিয়াদের কথা বলেন যারা অশ্বত্থ গাছে বাস করে। গল্পগুলো শুনে ছেলেরা এতটাই ভয় পেয়ে যায় যে তারা বারান্দা ছেড়ে যেতে চাইছিল না। পরে একটি বিশৃঙ্খল পরিস্থিতিতে অনিলের মা অজ্ঞান হয়ে যান এবং কমলের গান পরিবেশকে আরও ভুতুড়ে করে তোলে।

Supernatural Entities (অলৌকিক সত্তা)

The Jinn (জিন)

• Attractions: Long hair and pretty black eyes.
• Ability: Can stretch arms up to four yards long.
• Context: A boy in Anil's mother's class was said to be one.

The Munjia (মুঞ্জিয়া)

• Habitat: Lives in Peepul trees (অশ্বত্থ গাছ).
• Behavior: Mischievous spirits.
• Danger: Might jump down your throat if you yawn without covering your mouth.

Check Your Knowledge

Activity 1: Cause & Effect

Statement:

Anil’s mother told them ghost stories.

Reason:

She had a memory stored with an incredible amount of folklore.

Q: What does an annoyed Munjia do?

A: It might jump down your throat if you yawn without covering your mouth.

Q: Why did Anil's mother scream?

A: She was startled by the boys rushing about in the dark.

Vocabulary

Gymnast: Great flexibility/balance.

Comparison: As gentle as a lamb.

Adverbs

This exercise is too easy.

He never makes a mistake.

Grammar Check

Modal: I can speak English.

Subject-Verb: All that glitters is not gold.

WBBSE Notes: Ghosts on the Verandah

WBBSE AI Engine: Notes

Ghosts on the Verandah

Class VII | Subject: Blossoms | Comprehensive Study Material

Short Answer Questions (20)

1. Who invited the author and Kamal to stay for the night?

Solution: Their friend Anil invited them to stay at his house.

2. What was Anil’s mother known for?

Solution: She was known for her memory stored with an incredible amount of folklore.

3. According to the text, what physical features attract a Jinn?

Solution: Jinns are attracted to long hair and pretty black eyes.

4. Where do Munjias live?

Solution: Munjias live in peepul trees.

5. What might happen if you yawn without covering your mouth near a peepul tree?

Solution: A Munjia might jump down your throat.

6. How long could the boy Jinn stretch his arm?

Solution: He could stretch his arm four yards long.

7. Why did the boys not want to leave the verandah?

Solution: They were frightened by the ghost stories told by Anil's mother.

8. What happened to Anil’s mother when the boys rushed about?

Solution: She screamed and collapsed because she was startled.

9. What did Kamal do to try and calm everyone down?

Solution: Kamal began to sing softly.

10. How did Kamal’s singing affect the atmosphere?

Solution: It made the atmosphere feel more eerie.

11. Complete the comparison: "As gentle as a ___."

Solution: As gentle as a lamb.

12. Fill in the blank: "This exercise is ___ easy." (too / enough)

Solution: too.

13. Fill in the blank: "He ___ makes a mistake." (always / never)

Solution: never (or always, depending on context, but usually 'never' in grammar exercises).

14. What is the modal for: "I ___ speak English."?

Solution: can.

15. Correct the tense: "I thought I ___ (see) you yesterday."

Solution: saw.

16. Subject-Verb Agreement: "All that glitters ___ (is/are) not gold."

Solution: is.

17. Adjective Comparison: "Ram is ___ (old) than Shyam."

Solution: older.

18. Why was the boy in Anil's mother's class able to stretch his arm?

Solution: Because he was a Jinn.

19. What word describes a person with great flexibility like a gymnast?

Solution: Flexibility (or supple/agile).

20. What was the setting where the stories were told?

Solution: The verandah of Anil's house at night.

Long Answer Questions (20)

1. Describe the character of Anil’s mother based on the folklore she shared.

Solution: Anil’s mother is depicted as a woman with a deep knowledge of traditional folklore and ghost stories. She possesses an "incredible amount of folklore" in her memory. She is a vivid storyteller who can describe supernatural beings like Jinns and Munjias with such detail that she frightens her young audience. However, she is also shown to be quite sensitive or easily frightened herself, as she screams and collapses when the boys startle her in the dark.

2. Explain the characteristics and dangers of a Munjia as described in the text.

Solution: According to the folklore shared by Anil’s mother, Munjias are mischievous spirits that reside in peepul trees. They are particularly dangerous to people who yawn without covering their mouths or snapping their fingers. If a person fails to do this while near a peepul tree, the Munjia might jump down the person's throat, potentially causing great harm or possession.

3. Detail the story of the boy who was a Jinn. What was his special ability?

Solution: Anil’s mother told a story about a boy who was in her class. This boy was actually a Jinn in human form. His special supernatural ability was that he could stretch his arm to an incredible length—up to four yards long. He used this ability to fetch a book from the other side of the room without leaving his seat, which served as proof of his supernatural nature.

4. Why did the boys refuse to leave the verandah and go to their room?

Solution: The boys, including the author and Kamal, were deeply affected by the ghost stories told by Anil’s mother. The descriptions of Jinns and Munjias created a sense of fear and paranoia. They felt safer staying in the company of others on the verandah rather than walking through the dark house to their room, where they imagined these spirits might be lurking.

5. Analyze the cause and effect of the boys' rushing about later that night.

Solution: The cause was the boys' heightened state of fear and perhaps a sudden movement or rush to get somewhere. The effect was that they accidentally startled Anil’s mother. Because she had just been discussing ghosts and spirits, her own nerves were likely on edge. When the boys rushed past her, she was so frightened that she screamed and collapsed, creating a chaotic and tense situation for everyone.

6. How did Kamal attempt to change the mood, and why did it fail?

Solution: To calm the tension after Anil’s mother collapsed, Kamal began to sing softly. His intention was to provide a soothing distraction and restore peace. However, it failed because the singing, done softly in a dark and frightened household, actually added to the "eerie" atmosphere. Instead of being comforting, the sound of soft singing in the dark felt ghostly and strange, further unnerving the group.

7. What are the specific physical traits of Jinns mentioned in the folklore?

Solution: According to the text, Jinns are attracted to specific human features. They are drawn to people with long hair and "pretty black eyes." Additionally, the story of the boy Jinn suggests they can alter their physical form, such as stretching their limbs to unnatural lengths (four yards) to perform tasks that would be impossible for a normal human.

8. Discuss the role of the "peepul tree" in the story's supernatural context.

Solution: The peepul tree is presented as the dwelling place of the Munjia spirits. In Indian folklore, certain trees are often associated with specific spirits. By identifying the peepul tree as the home of the mischievous Munjia, the story creates a sense of environmental dread, where a common natural object becomes a source of potential danger if one does not follow specific rituals like covering a yawn.

9. Explain the grammatical difference between 'too' and 'enough' using the example from the text.

Solution: In the activity "This exercise is ___ easy," the word 'too' is used to indicate an excess (more than desired). 'Too' usually comes before the adjective (too easy). 'Enough' indicates sufficiency and usually comes after the adjective (easy enough). In the context of the exercise, 'too' is often used to emphasize the degree of simplicity.

10. Why is the story titled "Ghosts on the Verandah"?

Solution: The title refers to both the subject matter and the setting. The "ghosts" are the subjects of the folklore told by Anil’s mother (Jinns and Munjias). The "verandah" is the physical location where the boys sat, paralyzed by fear, listening to these stories. It also reflects how the fear of ghosts "stayed" with them on the verandah, preventing them from moving to their room.

11. Summarize the incident that caused Anil's mother to collapse.

Solution: After filling the boys' heads with frightening stories, the atmosphere in the house was tense. Later, as the boys were moving around—perhaps in a hurry or in the dark—they accidentally ran into or startled Anil's mother. Given the spooky context of the evening, she likely mistook the sudden movement for a supernatural encounter, leading her to scream and lose consciousness.

12. How does the author use the concept of "folklore" to drive the narrative?

Solution: Folklore serves as the primary catalyst for the plot. It is the "incredible amount of folklore" known by Anil's mother that transforms a normal sleepover into a night of terror. The specific rules of the folklore (like covering a yawn) create the tension that leads to the boys' fear and the eventual climax where the mother herself becomes a victim of the very fear she instilled.

13. Describe the boy Jinn’s action of fetching a book. Why was this significant?

Solution: The boy Jinn reached out his hand and stretched it four yards across the room to pick up a book. This is significant because it provides a "concrete" example of the supernatural within a mundane setting (a classroom). It made the ghost stories feel more real and immediate to the boys, as it suggested that anyone—even a classmate—could be a spirit in disguise.

14. What does the comparison "as gentle as a lamb" imply in a literary context?

Solution: This simile is used to describe someone who is exceptionally kind, mild-mannered, and harmless. In the context of a ghost story, such comparisons might be used to contrast the innocent nature of the children with the mischievous or malevolent nature of the spirits like Munjias.

15. Explain the use of the modal "can" in the sentence "I can speak English."

Solution: The modal verb "can" is used here to express ability. It indicates that the subject has the skill or knowledge required to perform the action of speaking English. In the grammar activities provided, this helps students understand how to express personal capabilities.

16. Why is the atmosphere described as "eerie" after Kamal started singing?

Solution: The word "eerie" refers to something strange and frightening in a mysterious way. Kamal's singing was meant to be soothing, but because the house was dark, the boys were terrified, and the mother had just collapsed, the sound of a soft, lone voice singing likely mimicked the "haunting" sounds often associated with ghosts, making the situation feel more supernatural.

17. What is the significance of "snapping fingers" while yawning according to the folklore?

Solution: According to the folklore of the Munjia, snapping fingers or covering the mouth during a yawn is a protective ritual. It is believed to prevent the spirit from entering the body. This detail shows how folklore often includes specific actions or "charms" to protect oneself from the supernatural.

18. Analyze the sentence: "All that glitters is not gold." How does it relate to the story?

Solution: Grammatically, it shows subject-verb agreement with "is." Thematically, it suggests that appearances can be deceiving. Just as the boy in the class appeared to be a normal student but was actually a Jinn, things are not always what they seem. A normal night at a friend's house turned into a night of supernatural terror.

19. How does the author describe the physical effect of fear on the boys?

Solution: The author describes the boys as being so frightened that they "didn’t want to leave the company on the verandah." This implies a state of paralysis or extreme hesitation. Their fear was so great that it overrode their desire to go to sleep in their designated room, preferring the cramped verandah over the potential ghosts in the hallway.

20. What lesson about storytelling can be drawn from Anil’s mother’s experience?

Solution: The story illustrates that storytelling is a powerful tool that can deeply influence the emotions and perceptions of the listeners. However, it also shows that the storyteller can become a victim of the atmosphere they create. By making the environment so "haunted" with her words, Anil's mother made herself vulnerable to being easily startled, showing that fear is contagious.

CLASS 5 BUTTERFLY

Lesson 4: Memory in Marble

1. Let’s Read (চলো পড়ি)

Tarun, a class five student, was given a task to write a paragraph on the Taj Mahal. Worried, he asked his grandfather for help. His grandfather told him the story of Prince Khurram, son of Jehangir. One day, Khurram saw an extremely beautiful girl, Arjumand Banu Begum, in the Meena Bazaar and wanted to marry her.

তরুণ, পঞ্চম শ্রেণীর ছাত্র, তাজমহলের উপর একটি অনুচ্ছেদ লেখার কাজ পেয়েছিল। চিন্তিত হয়ে, সে তার দাদুকে সাহায্য করতে বলল। তার দাদু তাকে রাজকুমার খুররমের গল্প বললেন, যিনি ছিলেন জাহাঙ্গীরের পুত্র। একদিন, খুররম মীনা বাজারে এক অত্যন্ত সুন্দরী মেয়ে, আরজুমান্দ বানু বেগমকে দেখতে পান এবং তাকে বিয়ে করতে চান।

Prince Khurram was later known as Shah Jahan and became emperor in 1628. Arjumand Banu Begum was renamed Mumtaz Mahal, meaning “the brightest crown of the world.” When Mumtaz was on her deathbed, Shah Jahan promised her he would not marry again and would build the most beautiful mausoleum over her grave.

রাজকুমার খুররম পরে শাহজাহান নামে পরিচিত হন এবং ১৬২৮ সালে সম্রাট হন। আরজুমান্দ বানু বেগমের নতুন নাম হয় মমতাজ মহল, যার অর্থ “বিশ্বের সবচেয়ে উজ্জ্বল মুকুট।” মমতাজ যখন মৃত্যুশয্যায়, শাহজাহান তাকে প্রতিশ্রুতি দেন যে তিনি আর বিয়ে করবেন না এবং তার কবরের উপর সবচেয়ে সুন্দর সমাধিসৌধ নির্মাণ করবেন।

Shah Jahan was so sad after her death that he ordered the court to mourn for two years. He then started building the monument beside the river Yamuna. It took 22 years and 22,000 workers to build. The Taj Mahal was built entirely out of white marble. When Shah Jahan died in 1666, his body was placed next to the grave of Mumtaz Mahal. It is now considered one of the seven wonders of the World.

তার মৃত্যুর পর শাহজাহান এতই দুঃখিত হয়েছিলেন যে তিনি দরবারকে দুই বছর শোক পালনের আদেশ দেন। এরপর তিনি যমুনা নদীর তীরে স্মৃতিস্তম্ভটি নির্মাণ শুরু করেন। এটি তৈরি করতে ২২ বছর এবং ২২,০০০ কর্মী লেগেছিল। তাজমহল সম্পূর্ণরূপে সাদা মার্বেল দিয়ে তৈরি। ১৬৬৬ সালে শাহজাহান মারা গেলে, তার দেহ মমতাজ মহলের কবরের পাশে রাখা হয়। এটি এখন বিশ্বের সাতটি আশ্চর্যের মধ্যে একটি হিসাবে বিবেচিত হয়।

2. What We Learn (আমরা যা শিখি)

The Power of a Promise

Shah Jahan built the magnificent Taj Mahal to keep a promise he made to his dying wife. This teaches us the importance of keeping our promises and honoring our commitments.

শাহজাহান তার মৃত্যুপথযাত্রী স্ত্রীকে দেওয়া একটি প্রতিশ্রুতি রাখতে magnificently তাজমহল নির্মাণ করেছিলেন। এটি আমাদের প্রতিশ্রুতি রাখা এবং আমাদের অঙ্গীকার সম্মান করার গুরুত্ব শেখায়।

Love and Memory

The Taj Mahal is a symbol of Shah Jahan’s deep love for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It shows how art and architecture can be used to create a timeless memorial to remember a loved one forever.

তাজমহল শাহজাহানের তার স্ত্রী মমতাজ মহলের প্রতি গভীর ভালোবাসার প্রতীক। এটি দেখায় যে কীভাবে শিল্প এবং স্থাপত্যকে একজন প্রিয়জনকে চিরকাল স্মরণ করার জন্য একটি চিরন্তন স্মৃতিস্তম্ভ তৈরি করতে ব্যবহার করা যেতে পারে।

Hard Work and Dedication

Building the Taj Mahal took 22 years and 22,000 workers. This incredible feat of construction teaches us that great things can be achieved through long-term dedication, patience, and the hard work of many people.

তাজমহল নির্মাণে ২২ বছর এবং ২২,০০০ কর্মী লেগেছিল। এই অবিশ্বাস্য নির্মাণকার্য আমাদের শেখায় যে দীর্ঘমেয়াদী উৎসর্গ, ধৈর্য এবং অনেক মানুষের কঠোর পরিশ্রমের মাধ্যমে মহান জিনিস অর্জন করা যেতে পারে।

3. Vocabulary (শব্দভান্ডার)

Word (শব্দ)	Meaning (অর্থ)
Monument স্মৃতিস্তম্ভ	A building or structure built to remember a person or event.
Glimpse এক ঝলক	A brief or partial view.
Emperor সম্রাট	A ruler of great power and rank.
Mausoleum সমাধিসৌধ	A building built to house the dead.
Mourn শোক করা	To feel or show deep sorrow or regret for someone’s death.
Magnificent চমৎকার	Impressively beautiful or grand.

4. Activities 1 & 2

Activity 1: Fill in the blanks

(a) Prince Khurram was later known as ___.

(b) Mumtaz Mahal means ___.

Activity 2: True or False

(a) Shah Jahan was the grandson of Akbar the Great.

(b) The Taj Mahal is in Delhi.

5. Activities 3, 4 & 5

Activity 3: Cause and Effect

Cause	Effect
(a) Shah Jahan was sad after the death of his wife.	He ordered the court to mourn for two years.
(b) Shah Jahan wanted to build a beautiful monument.	The Taj Mahal was built.

Activity 4 & 5: Vocabulary

(a) A building built to house the dead: ___

(b) A brief or partial view: ___

6. Activities 6 & 7

Activity 6: Complete the sentences

(a) Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal in memory of…

(b) It took ___ years and ___ workers to build the Taj Mahal.

Activity 7: Fill in the chart

Who	What
Shah Jahan	built the Taj Mahal
Tarun’s Grandfather	told the story of the Taj Mahal
Mumtaz Mahal	was the wife of Shah Jahan

7. Grammar Practice (ব্যাকরণ অনুশীলন)

Activity 12: Modals

(a) I ___ finish my homework before going to school.

(b) We ___ save trees for a better future.

Activity 13: Negative Modals

(a) I ___ help you. I am sorry.

(b) One ___ go for swimming when the sea is rough.

8. Creative Writing (সৃজনশীল লেখা)

Activity 14: God Helps Those Who Help Themselves

Write a story in about 75 words about a cart-man whose cart gets stuck in the mud.

Activity 16: A Tree Plantation Drive

Write a paragraph on a recent Tree Plantation Drive undertaken by your school.

Day 2: Ghosts on the Verandah Class VII | English | Butterfly Memory in Marble ACTIVITIES

Day 3: Ghosts on the Verandah Class VII | English | Butterfly Memory in Marble MOCK TEST

Lesson: Ghosts on the Verandah - Translation

Class VII | Blossoms

Lesson: Ghosts on the Verandah

Complete Side-by-Side English & Bengali Translation

The author and his friend Kamal were invited to stay at their friend Anil’s house for the night. Anil’s mother, who knew a great deal of folklore, told them ghost stories. She spoke of Jinns, who are attracted to long hair and pretty black eyes, and Munjias, mischievous spirits who live in peepul trees and might jump down your throat if you yawn without covering your mouth.

লেখক এবং তার বন্ধু কমলকে তাদের বন্ধু অনিলের বাড়িতে রাত কাটানোর জন্য আমন্ত্রণ জানানো হয়েছিল। অনিলের মা, যিনি প্রচুর লোককাহিনী জানতেন, তাদের ভূতের গল্প শোনালেন। তিনি জিনদের কথা বললেন, যারা লম্বা চুল এবং সুন্দর কালো চোখের প্রতি আকৃষ্ট হয়, এবং মুঞ্জিয়াদের কথা, যারা অশ্বত্থ গাছে বাস করে এমন দুষ্টু আত্মা এবং আপনি মুখ না ঢেকে হাই তুললে আপনার গলায় ঝাঁপিয়ে পড়তে পারে।

She told them a story about a boy in her class who was a Jinn and could stretch his arm four yards long to fetch a book. The stories frightened the boys so much that they didn’t want to leave the company on the verandah to go to their room. Later, while rushing about, they startled Anil’s mother, who screamed and collapsed. To calm everyone down, Kamal began to sing softly, but it only made the atmosphere feel more eerie.

তিনি তার ক্লাসের একটি ছেলের গল্প বললেন যে একটি জিন ছিল এবং একটি বই আনার জন্য তার হাত চার গজ লম্বা করতে পারত। গল্পগুলো ছেলেদের এতটাই ভয় পাইয়ে দিয়েছিল যে তারা বারান্দার সঙ্গ ছেড়ে তাদের ঘরে যেতে চাইছিল না। পরে, ছোটাছুটি করার সময়, তারা অনিলের মাকে চমকে দেয়, যিনি চিৎকার করে অজ্ঞান হয়ে যান। সবাইকে শান্ত করার জন্য, কমল মৃদুস্বরে গান গাইতে শুরু করে, কিন্তু এটি পরিবেশকে আরও ভুতুড়ে করে তোলে।

Activities & Questions

Activity 1: Cause and Effect (কারণ ও ফলাফল)

Statement (বিবৃতি)

Reason (কারণ)

(a) Anil’s mother told them ghost stories.

She had a memory stored with an incredible amount of folklore.

(b) The boy could stretch his hands four yards.

He was a Jinn.

Activity 2: Answer the questions

(a) What type of physical features attract a Jinn?

Bengali: কোন ধরণের শারীরিক বৈশিষ্ট্য জিনদের আকর্ষণ করে?

(b) What does an annoyed Munjia do?

Bengali: বিরক্ত মুঞ্জিয়া কী করে?

Activity 3, 4 & 5: Vocabulary & Adverbs

Vocab: Since she is a gymnast, she has great flexibility.

Comparison: As gentle as a lamb.

Adverbs: This exercise is too easy. (too / enough)

Adverbs: He never makes a mistake. (always / never)

Activity 6 & 7: Comprehension

6(a): Anil’s mother thought that seeing a snake...

6(b): Kamal and the author did not want to go to their room because...

7(a): What was the result of Anil’s mother’s stories?

7(b): Why did Anil’s mother scream?

Grammar Practice (ব্যাকরণ অনুশীলন)

Modals & Tenses

I can speak English.
I thought I saw (see) you yesterday.

Subject-Verb & Adjectives

All that glitters is not gold.
Ram is older (old) than Shyam.

Day 4: Ghosts on the Verandah Class VII | English | Butterfly Memory in Marble ONLINE EXAM

WBBSE Activity Solutions - Ghosts on the Verandah

Class VII | Blossoms WBBSE AI Engine

Lesson: Ghosts on the Verandah

Complete Activity Solutions & Chapter Analysis

Chapter Summary (সারসংক্ষেপ)

The author and Kamal stay at Anil’s house. Anil’s mother tells them folklore about Jinns (attracted to long hair) and Munjias (spirits in peepul trees). She shares a story of a Jinn boy who could stretch his arm four yards. The boys get terrified, and later, a misunderstanding leads to Anil's mother fainting.

লেখক এবং কমল অনিলের বাড়িতে থাকেন। অনিলের মা তাদের জিন (যারা লম্বা চুলের প্রতি আকৃষ্ট হয়) এবং মুঞ্জিয়া (অশ্বত্থ গাছের আত্মা) সম্পর্কে লোককাহিনী শোনান। তিনি একটি জিন ছেলের গল্প শেয়ার করেন যে তার হাত চার গজ লম্বা করতে পারত। ছেলেরা আতঙ্কিত হয়ে পড়ে এবং পরে একটি ভুল বোঝাবুঝির কারণে অনিলের মা অজ্ঞান হয়ে যান।

1 Activity 1: Cause and Effect

Statement	Reason
(a) Anil’s mother told them ghost stories.	She had a memory stored with an incredible amount of folklore.
(b) The boy could stretch his hands four yards.	He was a Jinn.

2 Activity 2: Answer the Questions

Question (a): What type of physical features attract a Jinn?

Answer: According to the text, Jinns are attracted to long hair and pretty black eyes.

Question (b): What does an annoyed Munjia do?

Answer: An annoyed Munjia might jump down your throat if you yawn without covering your mouth.

3 Activity 3 & 4: Vocabulary

Question: Since she is a gymnast, she has great ___.

Answer: flexibility / agility

Question: Complete the comparison: as gentle as a ___.

Answer: lamb

4 Activity 5: Adverbs

Question: This exercise is ___ easy. (too / enough)

Answer: too

Question: He ___ makes a mistake. (always / never)

Answer: never (or always, depending on context, but 'never' is common for positive traits)

5 Activity 6: Complete the Sentences

(a) Anil’s mother thought that seeing a snake was a sign of good luck (as per the original story folklore).

(b) Kamal and the author did not want to go to their room because they were frightened by the ghost stories told by Anil's mother.

6 Activity 7: Answer the Questions

Question (a): What was the result of Anil’s mother’s stories?

Answer: The result was that the boys were so frightened that they refused to leave the company on the verandah to go to their room.

Question (b): Why did Anil’s mother scream?

Answer: Anil’s mother screamed because she was startled by the boys who were rushing about in the dark.

7 Grammar Practice (ব্যাকরণ অনুশীলন)

Modals & Tenses

(a) I can speak English.

(b) I thought I saw (see) you yesterday.

Subject-Verb & Adjectives

(a) All that glitters is (is/are) not gold.

(b) Ram is older (old) than Shyam.

Day 5: Ghosts on the Verandah Class VII | English | Butterfly Memory in Marble Activities Revision + Mistake Analysis Active Recall / Teaching Leave a Reply

Revision Tab: Ghosts on the Verandah

Class VII | Blossoms | Lesson Analysis

WBBSE AI Engine

Mistake Analysis: Common Pitfalls

Common Student Mistake	Correct Concept / Correction
Confusing the habits of Jinns and Munjias.	Jinns are attracted to long hair and black eyes. Munjias live in peepul trees and jump down throats during yawns.
Thinking the mother screamed because she saw a real ghost.	She screamed because she was startled by the boys (Kamal and the author) rushing about in the dark.
Using "are" with "All that glitters..." in Subject-Verb agreement.	"All that glitters is not gold." (Treating the collective idea as singular).
Misplacing the adverb "enough" (e.g., "enough easy").	"Enough" follows the adjective: "Easy enough". (Note: "Too" comes before: "Too easy").
Believing Kamal's singing successfully calmed the situation.	Though he intended to calm everyone, his soft singing actually made the atmosphere feel more eerie.

Power Revision Summary

Core Story & Folklore

• Setting: A night stay at Anil's house where his mother shares folklore (লোককাহিনী).
• The Jinn: Attracted to physical beauty (long hair/black eyes). Can stretch limbs (e.g., 4 yards long to reach a book).
• The Munjia: Mischievous spirits in peepul trees; protection requires covering the mouth while yawning.
• Atmosphere: The stories created such fear that the boys were terrified to leave the verandah.

Grammar & Vocabulary High-Yields

• Modals: Use "Can" for present ability and "Could" for past ability (e.g., The boy could stretch his arm).
• Comparisons: "As gentle as a lamb" (or dove) is a standard simile for mildness.
• Adverbs: "Too" indicates excess (Too easy), while "Never/Always" indicate frequency.
• Tenses: "I thought I saw you yesterday" (Past simple for completed actions).

Last Minute Tip

"Remember: The ghost stories were folklore, but the fear they caused led to the real-life chaos of the mother fainting!"

Active Recall Toolkit Class VII • Blossoms VIII

Ghosts on the Verandah

Master the folklore and grammar of Anil’s spooky night.

Blind Questions (Memory Test)

Try to answer these without looking at the source text!

Who were the two friends invited to stay at Anil’s house?
Why did Anil’s mother know so many ghost stories?
What two physical features are said to attract a Jinn?
Where do Munjias typically live according to the story?
What must you do when you yawn to prevent a Munjia from jumping down your throat?
In the story about the boy in her class, how long could he stretch his arm?
What was the Jinn boy trying to fetch by stretching his arm?
Why did the boys refuse to leave the verandah to go to their room?
What happened to Anil’s mother when the boys startled her?
What did Kamal do to try and calm the situation down?
How did the atmosphere feel after Kamal started singing?
Complete the comparison from Activity 4: "As gentle as a ___."
Which adverb fits: "He ___ makes a mistake" (always/never)?
What is the correct past tense of "see" used in the grammar practice?
Fill in the modal: "I ___ speak English."

The Feynman Method

Topic: Explaining the "Ghosts" to a 5-Year-Old

"Imagine you are at a sleepover. Your friend's mom tells you stories about two types of pretend monsters. First, there are Jinns—they really like people with long hair and pretty eyes, and they can stretch their arms as long as a whole room to grab a book! Then there are Munjias—they live in big trees and are very naughty. If you yawn and don't cover your mouth, they might try to jump inside! The stories were so spooky that the boys were too scared to go to bed. They accidentally scared the mom, and even when they sang a song, it just felt even more 'creepy' like a ghost was watching!"

Spaced Repetition Schedule

Day 1: Initial Review

• Identify the characters (Kamal, Anil, Mother).
• Learn the traits of Jinns and Munjias.
• Vocabulary: Folklore, Eerie, Collapsed.

Day 3: Deep Recall

• Explain the "Cause and Effect" of the mother's stories.
• Practice Grammar: Adverbs (too/enough) and Modals (can).
• Recall the "4-yard arm" story details.

Day 7: Mastery

• Subject-Verb Agreement (All that glitters...).
• Comparison of Adjectives (Old vs. Older).
• Summarize the ending: Why did the mother scream?

WBBSE AI Engine • Blossoms VIII • Lesson: Ghosts on the Verandah

The Story Summary

গল্পের সারসংক্ষেপ

Supernatural Entities (অলৌকিক সত্তা)

The Jinn (জিন)

The Munjia (মুঞ্জিয়া)

Check Your Knowledge

Activity 1: Cause & Effect

Vocabulary

Adverbs

Grammar Check

Short Answer Questions (20)

Long Answer Questions (20)

1. Let’s Read (চলো পড়ি)

2. What We Learn (আমরা যা শিখি)

The Power of a Promise

Love and Memory

Hard Work and Dedication

3. Vocabulary (শব্দভান্ডার)

4. Activities 1 & 2

Activity 1: Fill in the blanks

Activity 2: True or False

5. Activities 3, 4 & 5

Activity 3: Cause and Effect

Activity 4 & 5: Vocabulary

6. Activities 6 & 7

Activity 6: Complete the sentences

Activity 7: Fill in the chart

7. Grammar Practice (ব্যাকরণ অনুশীলন)

Activity 12: Modals

Activity 13: Negative Modals

8. Creative Writing (সৃজনশীল লেখা)

Activity 14: God Helps Those Who Help Themselves

Activity 16: A Tree Plantation Drive

WBBSE Mock Test Bank

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Test Completed!

WBBSE Online Examination

1 Section A: Multiple Choice Questions (10 Marks)

2 Section B: Descriptive Questions (Self-Assessment)

Exam Result

Word Meanings: Ghosts on the Verandah

Lesson: Ghosts on the Verandah

Activities & Questions

Activity 1: Cause and Effect (কারণ ও ফলাফল)

Activity 2: Answer the questions

Activity 3, 4 & 5: Vocabulary & Adverbs

Activity 6 & 7: Comprehension

Grammar Practice (ব্যাকরণ অনুশীলন)

Chapter Summary (সারসংক্ষেপ)

1 Activity 1: Cause and Effect

2 Activity 2: Answer the Questions

3 Activity 3 & 4: Vocabulary

4 Activity 5: Adverbs

5 Activity 6: Complete the Sentences

6 Activity 7: Answer the Questions

7 Grammar Practice (ব্যাকরণ অনুশীলন)

Modals & Tenses

Subject-Verb & Adjectives

Revision Tab: Ghosts on the Verandah

Mistake Analysis: Common Pitfalls

Power Revision Summary

Core Story & Folklore

Grammar & Vocabulary High-Yields

Ghosts on the Verandah

Blind Questions (Memory Test)

The Feynman Method

Topic: Explaining the "Ghosts" to a 5-Year-Old

Spaced Repetition Schedule

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