Chapter 4

                                             The Peacock - Our National Bird

1.Which bird is the National Bird of India, and why is it chosen?

Answer: India’s National Bird is the peacock. It has been selected for its stunning beauty, vibrant and colorful feathers, and its importance in Indian culture. Its graceful and majestic appearance makes it a proud symbol of the country.

2.Where can one commonly see peacocks in India?

Answer: The blue peacock, found in India, can commonly be seen in forests, wildlife sanctuaries, and zoos such as the Patna Zoo. Additionally, it is often spotted in villages and rural areas, moving freely in its natural habitat.

3.What did Ruby say about seeing a peacock?

Answer: Ruby shared that she had seen a peacock at the Patna Zoo and described it as very beautiful, highlighting its bright, colorful, and striking appearance.

4.How did the teacher describe the peacock’s appearance?

Answer: The teacher explained that the peacock has a bright, oval-shaped body covered with multi-colored feathers, a small head, and a long, slender neck, making it look graceful and attractive.

5.Which is more colorful, the male or the female peacock?

Answer: The male peacock is far more vibrant and colorful compared to the female peahen. His feathers are brighter, larger, and more beautifully decorated, making him stand out.

6.What are peacock plumes used for?

Answer: The feathers, or plumes, of a peacock are valued for their stunning beauty and patterns. People use them for decorating homes, in artwork, and during traditional ceremonies.

7.What did Abhishek say about peacocks eating habits?

Answer: Abhishek mentioned that peacocks eat snakes. The teacher agreed and further explained that their diet also includes plants, seeds, fruits, insects, frogs, and lizards.

8.What does the peacock eat besides snakes?

Answer:Apart from snakes, peacocks eat plants, seeds, fruits, insects, frogs, and lizards. This varied diet makes them omnivores and important contributors to the ecosystem.

9.What did Imran say about peacocks in village traditions?

Answer: Imran mentioned that in his village, he had witnessed a traditional dance where two people, dressed as a peacock and a peahen, performed during wedding celebrations.

10.Why do people perform dances as peacocks during weddings?

Answer: During weddings, people dress up as peacocks and peahens and dance to reflect the birds’ beauty and elegance. This cultural tradition represents happiness, festivity, and admiration for nature.

11.When do peacocks usually dance in the wild?

Answer: In the wild, peacocks typically perform their dance in the rainy season. When dark clouds cover the sky, they joyfully spread their vibrant feathers and display their graceful movements.

12.Why do peacocks dance when it rains?

Answer:Peacocks dance during rainfall to show their joy and excitement. This display of colorful feathers and graceful movements also plays a role in attracting mates during the breeding season.

13.Have the students seen a peacock without feathers?

Answer: The students replied that they had never seen a peacock without its feathers. The bird’s feathers are always visible and are essential to its striking and colorful appearance.

14.What makes the peacock’s feathers special?

Answer: The peacock’s feathers are special because they display multiple colors, shine brilliantly, and have unique eye-like designs. Their beauty makes them popular for decoration and artistic purposes.

15.What did the teacher mean by “in the guise of a peacock”?

Answer:The phrase “in the guise of a peacock” means appearing or acting like a peacock. During festivals or ceremonies, people dress up and imitate the peacock’s movements and dance.

16.What is the meaning of the word “plumes”?

Answer: Plumes are the long and ornamental feathers of a peacock. They are used for decoration and are seen as a sign of beauty and elegance.

17.What is the significance of the peacock in India’s culture?

Answer: In India, the peacock represents elegance, charm, and cultural richness. It is honored in paintings, traditional stories, dances, and as a national emblem.

18.How does the teacher engage students with the topic of peacocks?

Answer: The teacher involves the students by displaying a peacock’s picture and prompting them to talk about its looks, lifestyle, and behavior. This interactive approach encourages active learning and participation.

19.What did Ruby notice about the peacock’s beauty?

Answer: Ruby observed that the peacock is exceptionally striking, with its vibrant, multi-colored feathers and graceful, sizable body making it truly captivating.

20.What part of the peacock’s body is described as slender?

Answer: The peacock’s neck is thin and graceful, giving the bird a refined and elegant look.

21.Why is the male peacock more admired than the female?

Answer: The male peacock is admired more than the female because its feathers are vivid and colorful, with magnificent plumes that make it visually striking and help in attracting a mate.

22.What does the peacock eat to survive?

Answer: To survive, the peacock consumes a wide range of food such as seeds, fruits, plants, insects, frogs, lizards, and even snakes, which provides it with the necessary nutrients to thrive in its habitat.

23.Why do students ask about peacock dances in villages?

Answer: Students inquire about peacock dances in villages because they have observed people dressing and performing like peacocks during festive occasions, especially weddings, showcasing cultural traditions influenced by the bird’s graceful movements.

24.How is the peacock connected to rainy season celebrations?

Answer: The peacock is linked to rainy season celebrations because it naturally dances when the skies are cloudy. This cheerful display inspires cultural dances and symbolizes joy, abundance, and the beauty of the season.

25.What is meant by “multi-coloured feathers”?

Answer:“Multi-coloured feathers” refer to feathers that show a mix of many bright and vivid colors like blue, green, yellow, and red. Peacock feathers shine and sparkle with this beautiful combination of colors.

26.What role does the peacock play in decoration?

Answer: Peacock feathers are often used for decoration in homes, temples, festivals, and artwork. Their vibrant colors and intricate patterns make them a popular and prized ornamental feature.

27.What did the bell signify at the end of the class?

Answer: The ringing of the bell marked the end of the class. After it rang, the students expressed their gratitude to the teacher and left the classroom, signaling the official closure of the lesson.

28.How does the teacher explain the peacock’s feeding habits?

Answer: The teacher described that peacocks have a diverse diet. They eat snakes, small animals like frogs and lizards, as well as plants, seeds, fruits, and insects, highlighting that they are omnivores.

29.Why do students find peacocks attractive?

Answer:Students are drawn to peacocks due to their bright, multi-colored feathers, striking plumes, slender neck, and graceful movements, which make them appear elegant and enchanting.

30.What does “nodding” mean in the context of the teacher?

Answer: In this context, “nodding” refers to the teacher moving his head up and down to express agreement or appreciation when students answered correctly.

31.What is the importance of the peacock’s plumes in nature?

Answer: Peacock plumes are important in nature because they help males attract females during the mating season. Additionally, their bright and large feathers can intimidate predators and signal the male’s strength and dominance.

32.What is the meaning of “devours” in the text?

Answer:In the text, “devours” means to eat something with great appetite or quickly. For peacocks, it describes how they consume food like plants, seeds, fruits, insects, and small creatures eagerly.

33.What does “in the guise of” signify in cultural performances?

Answer: In cultural performances, “in the guise of” means taking on the appearance or role of a peacock. Performers wear costumes and act like the bird to represent its look and movements during dances or ceremonies.

34.How do students participate in learning about peacocks?

Answer: Students engage in learning about peacocks by responding to the teacher’s questions, talking about their own experiences of spotting peacocks, and explaining cultural events or dances where peacocks are featured.

35.Why is the peacock considered a symbol of India?

Answer: The peacock symbolizes India due to its striking beauty, elegant movements, and important role in Indian culture, art, and traditions, making it a proud national emblem.

36.How does the teacher explain the seasonal behavior of peacocks?

Answer:The teacher describes that peacocks mostly perform their dances in the rainy season when the sky is filled with clouds, showing happiness and attracting mates, which highlights their seasonal habits. 

37.What educational purpose does showing a picture of a peacock serve?

Answer: Displaying a picture of a peacock allows students to see its colors and features clearly, making it easier for them to understand, remember, and actively engage with the lesson about India’s National Bird.

38.What does the teacher mean by “absolutely attractive”?

Answer:“Absolutely attractive” means the peacock is very beautiful and captivating. The teacher highlights that its bright, colorful feathers and graceful body make it fully charming and pleasing to the eyes.

39.How do the peacock’s colors benefit the bird?

Answer: The peacock’s vibrant colors serve to attract partners, show its strength and status, and can help scare off threats. Additionally, its striking plumage has made it admired in culture and art.

40.Summarize the significance of the peacock as described in the lesson.

Answer: The peacock, India’s National Bird, is celebrated for its bright, multi-colored feathers, graceful body, and charming dance. It symbolizes India’s cultural richness, natural beauty, and festive spirit, holding an important place in traditions, art, and the environment.


Answer by Mrinmoee