Chapter 1

                                                             Opening Day!


1.How do you feel when you go to school and why?

Answer: I feel excited and happy when I go to school because I get to meet my friends, learn new things, and participate in activities.


2.What things do you usually carry in your school bag?

Answer: I usually carry my books, notebook, pencil box, lunch box, water bottle, and sometimes my art or craft materials.


3.Do you have friends at school? Name a few.

Answer: Yes, I have friends at school. Their names are [insert names], and we enjoy playing and studying together.


4.Why do you think children feel happy on the first day of school?

Answer: Children feel happy because they get to wear new clothes, meet friends, see new books, and start a fresh beginning.


5.What is the first thing the poet does in the morning?

Answer: The poet gets up with the sun and hurries to school because it is the opening day.


6.What does the poet mean by “Up with the sun I’m on my way”?

Answer: The poet means that he wakes up early in the morning and starts going to school excitedly.


7.Why is the poet rushing to school?

Answer: The poet is rushing to school because it is the opening day, and he is eager to start a new academic year.


8.What things are new for the poet on opening day?

Answer: The poet has new shoes, a new bag, a new uniform, new books, a new class, and a new class teacher.


9.What makes the poet really glad despite the holidays being over?

Answer: The poet is glad because everything is new and exciting, and he also has his old friends to meet.


10.What is meant by “good as gold” in the poem?

Answer: “Good as gold” means very precious and valuable. In this poem, it refers to the poet’s old friends who are precious to him.


11.Who is the poet excited to meet apart from new things?

Answer: Apart from new things, the poet is excited to meet his old friends.


12.What emotions does the poet express in the poem?

Answer: The poet expresses happiness, excitement, and joy about the new school year.


13.What is the significance of the line “New shoes, new bag, My uniform is new”?

Answer: It highlights the freshness of the new school year and how small things like new shoes and bags bring happiness to children.


14.How does the poet describe his school experience on the opening day?

Answer: The poet describes it as bright, cheerful, and full of excitement with new things and old friends.


15.What does the poet say about old friends?

Answer: The poet says that old friends are precious, like gold, and meeting them adds to his joy.


16.Why does the poet not feel sad even though the holidays are over?

Answer: Because the excitement of new things and the joy of seeing friends make him happy.


17.How does the poet balance the excitement of new things with the joy of old friends?

Answer: The poet enjoys both the novelty of new things and cherishes his old friends, showing a balance of change and familiarity.


18.What does the poet’s excitement tell us about children’s feelings towards school?

Answer: It shows that children are naturally curious, eager to learn, and enjoy social interactions at school.


19.Which is more important to the poet—new things or old friends?

Answer: While new things are exciting, old friends are equally important as they are precious and comforting.


20.What message does the poem give about school life?

Answer: The poem emphasizes that school life is joyful and exciting, combining the thrill of new experiences with the warmth of friendships.


21.What does the word “rushing” mean in the poem?

Answer: “Rushing” means moving quickly with excitement or urgency.


22.Find a line in the poem that shows happiness.

Answer: “Would you like to know / What makes me so glad?” shows the poet’s happiness.


23.What is a synonym for “glad” in the poem?

Answer: A synonym for “glad” is happy, delighted, or joyful.


24.What does the word “uniform” mean in the poem?

Answer: “Uniform” refers to the standard set of clothes that students wear to school.


25.Explain the phrase “new class-teacher” in your own words.

Answer: It means a teacher who is newly assigned to the poet’s class for the current academic year.


26.What does “everything is new and that is really fine” mean?

Answer: It means that all the new things the poet has—books, shoes, uniform—are enjoyable and make him happy.


27.Why does the poet compare old friends to gold?

Answer: Because old friends are valuable, reliable, and bring joy, just like gold is precious.


28.Find two adjectives in the poem that describe new things.

Answer: “New” and “fine” are adjectives that describe things positively in the poem.


29.What is the poetic device used in “Good old friends of mine”?

Answer: This line uses alliteration because the repetition of the “f” sound in “friends” and “of” makes it poetic.


30.Identify a rhyme in the poem.

Answer: “Glad” and “bad” form a rhyme in the lines “Would you like to know / What makes me so glad?”


31.Why do you think children look forward to the opening day of school?

Answer: Children look forward to opening day because it gives them a fresh start, new experiences, and a chance to meet friends.


32.How do new things and old friends together make the opening day special?

Answer: New things bring excitement and curiosity, while old friends provide comfort and familiarity, making the day enjoyable overall.


33.If you were the poet, what would make your opening day special?

Answer: Meeting my friends, having fun in class, and getting new books and stationery would make my opening day special.


34.Why does the poet mention both new and old things?

Answer: To show that while new experiences are exciting, familiar things and friends hold emotional value and are important.


35.What lesson can we learn from the poet’s excitement?

Answer: We can learn to appreciate both new opportunities and cherished relationships, making life balanced and joyful.


36.How can teachers make the opening day enjoyable for students?

Answer: Teachers can make it enjoyable by welcoming students warmly, introducing activities, and encouraging interaction among friends.


37.Why is the poet’s mood positive despite the end of holidays?

Answer: Because he focuses on the exciting things about school and the joy of meeting friends rather than missing the holidays.


38.Do you think having a new class teacher is exciting or scary? Why?

Answer: It can be exciting because it’s a new experience, but it may also feel scary until students get familiar with the teacher.


39.How does the poet show that he values friendship?

Answer: By calling his old friends “good as gold,” the poet shows that he cherishes and values them deeply.


40.Write a few sentences explaining why opening day is important in a student’s life.

Answer: Opening day marks the start of a new academic year. It introduces students to new teachers, books, and friends. It helps children feel motivated, excited, and ready to learn. Meeting old friends and seeing new things makes the day memorable and joyful.

Answer by Mrinmoee