Introduction: “A Curious Mind” is Lesson 3 from the ASSEB (Assam State School Education Board) Class 6 English textbook Rainbow. This lesson is a short play built around a friendly conversation between three children — Nikita, her younger brother Orgo, and their cousin Meera. It celebrates the spirit of inquiry: the natural curiosity of children to ask “why?” and “how?”. Through the conversation, the lesson introduces the great Indian physicist Sir C. V. Raman, his Nobel Prize-winning discovery known as the Raman Effect, and the importance of National Science Day. It encourages students to observe the world around them, to ask questions politely, and to keep their minds open to learning something new every day.
Summary
The play opens with little Orgo watching his sister Nikita draw a scenery. He admires her sunset picture but asks why she has painted the sky red, and then why the colour of the sky keeps changing at different times of the day. Nikita, busy with her painting, gets irritated and tells him to ask his Science teacher instead. Their cousin Meera enters, finds Orgo upset, and gently tells Nikita that Orgo’s question is a very good one, because curiosity is the root of many great discoveries and inventions. To inspire the children, Meera tells them about one of India’s greatest scientists, Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman.
Meera explains that C. V. Raman was born on 7 November 1888 at Tiruvanaikkaval near Trichinapally, in present-day Tamil Nadu, was a brilliant student, and completed his graduation and master’s degree in physics from the renowned Presidency College, Madras. In 1921, during a sea voyage, he wondered why the sea appears blue, and this curiosity led him to study the scattering of light and to his groundbreaking discovery — now known as the Raman Effect. For this work he received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930. He founded the Indian Academy of Sciences and the Indian Journal of Physics, was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1954, and breathed his last on 21 November 1970 in Bangalore. To commemorate his discovery, India observes National Science Day every year on 28th February. Meera also reminds the children to be inquisitive but polite — to consider whether a person is busy before asking, and never to dismiss questions straightaway.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Inquisitive | Very interested in learning about different things; questioning |
| Breakthrough | An important development that may lead to an achievement |
| Renowned | Famous and respected |
| Voyage | A long journey, especially by sea or in space |
| Irritated | Made someone angry or annoyed |
| Curious | Eager to know or learn something |
| Curiosity | A strong desire to know or learn |
| Scenery | A view of natural surroundings |
| Scattering | Spreading or throwing in different directions |
| Phenomenon | A fact or event observed in nature |
| Commemorate | To remember and honour an important event |
| Discovery | The act of finding something for the first time |
| Bharat Ratna | India’s highest civilian award |
| Nobel Prize | An international prize awarded each year for outstanding work |
Question Answers
Below are the answers to every printed ACTIVITY of Lesson 3 “A Curious Mind”, kept in the same order and numbering as the ASSEB Class 6 English textbook Rainbow.
Pre-reading: Science has contributed greatly to our daily lives. Do you agree? Discuss with your friend. Identify the renowned Indian scientists shown in the pictures and write their names. (Names given: A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, C. V. Raman, Srinivasa Ramanujan, Kamala Sohonie, Aryabhatta, Sushruta.)
Answer: Yes, science has contributed greatly to our daily lives — it has given us electricity, medicine, transport, communication and much more. The six renowned Indian scientists shown in the pictures can be identified as:
- Sushruta — the ancient “father of surgery”
- Aryabhatta — the great ancient mathematician and astronomer
- Srinivasa Ramanujan — the famous mathematician
- C. V. Raman — the physicist who discovered the Raman Effect
- Kamala Sohonie — the first Indian woman to receive a PhD in a scientific discipline
- A.P.J. Abdul Kalam — the “Missile Man of India” and former President of India
1. Answer the following questions:
(a) Who was the scientist that Meera was talking about?
Answer: Meera was talking about the great Indian scientist Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman (C. V. Raman).
(b) What was the name given to the discovery made by C. V. Raman?
Answer: The discovery made by C. V. Raman was named the “Raman Effect”.
(c) What is the root of many discoveries and inventions?
Answer: Curiosity — a curious, inquisitive mind that keeps asking questions — is the root of many great discoveries and inventions.
(d) In which year did C. V. Raman win the Nobel Prize?
Answer: C. V. Raman won the Nobel Prize in Physics in the year 1930.
(e) What question did Orgo ask Nikita? Why was Nikita irritated by the question?
Answer: Orgo asked Nikita why the colour of the sky keeps changing at different times of the day. Nikita was irritated because she was busy drawing a scenery and did not know the answer to his question.
(f) “We’ll surely keep this in mind next time.” What would Orgo and Nikita keep in mind?
Answer: They would keep in mind Meera’s advice about asking and answering questions politely — that Orgo should consider whether a person is busy before asking a question, and that Nikita should not dismiss questions straightaway but should politely ask the person to wait.
2. Say whether the following statements are True or False:
| Statement | True / False |
|---|---|
| (a) Nikita knew why the colour of the sky changes at different times. | False |
| (b) National Science Day is observed on 28th February. | True |
| (c) C. V. Raman was born in Calcutta. | False |
| (d) Raman was not good in his studies. | False |
| (e) Raman breathed his last on November 21, 1970. | True |
| (f) Meera was happy about Orgo asking questions. | True |
3. Put a tick (✓) on the correct option:
| Question | Correct Option |
|---|---|
| (a) Raman was awarded the Bharat Ratna in | ii) 1954 |
| (b) C. V. Raman won the Nobel Prize for | i) discovering the Raman Effect |
| (c) C. V. Raman was born in | i) Tiruvanaikkaval |
| (d) National Science Day is observed to | iii) commemorate the discovery of Raman Effect |
| (e) Nikita painted the sky | iii) red |
4. Read the lesson to complete the timeline given below. One is done for you.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1888 | Birth of C. V. Raman (done for you) |
| 1930 | C. V. Raman was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics |
| 1954 | C. V. Raman was awarded the Bharat Ratna |
| 1970 | C. V. Raman breathed his last (passed away) |
5. Underline some words in the text which are not familiar to you. In the following table, write down the words in the left column. Write the meaning of each word (by looking it up in a dictionary) in the right column.
Answer: This is your own dictionary work, so answers will vary. A sample is given below.
| Words | Meanings |
|---|---|
| voyage | a long journey, especially by sea or in space |
| inquisitive | very interested in learning about different things |
| commemorate | to remember and honour an important event |
| scattering | spreading or throwing in different directions |
| renowned | famous and respected |
6. Frame a sentence of your own by using each word you have listed in the table above:
Answer: Answers will vary. Sample sentences (using the words above):
- Raman made an important discovery during a sea voyage.
- An inquisitive student asks many thoughtful questions.
- We commemorate National Science Day every 28th February.
- The scattering of light makes the sky look blue.
- C. V. Raman was a renowned scientist of India.
7. Find and write down the synonyms of the following words from the text:
- curious : inquisitive
- breakthrough : discovery (groundbreaking discovery)
- essential : important
- renowned : famous / great
8. (a) Read the conversation between Orgo and his mother.
Note: This is a reading activity. Orgo asks his mother how he can learn about scientists from around the world. She tells him to go to the library or search on the internet, and she offers to help him find the information online. Orgo decides to go to the library first.
(b) Orgo went to the library and came across a biography of Thomas Alva Edison, the great inventor, and read it. Read the pages from the biography.
Note: This is a reading passage. It says Thomas Alva Edison became a great inventor because of certain qualities: he was eager to learn new things, asked a lot of questions, and put great effort into finding the answers. He learned from elders, read a lot of books and did scientific experiments in a laboratory he had set up in the basement of his house. He faced many hurdles from childhood, but they did not stop him — and these qualities made him the inventor we know today.
(c) Orgo made notes about Thomas Alva Edison (Main topic: Edison became a great inventor due to certain qualities. Supporting information — the qualities: curiosity, independent learning, determination). Now, complete the paragraph with the help of the notes, using the connecting words firstly, secondly and lastly.
Answer: Thomas Alva Edison had certain qualities that helped him to become a great inventor. Firstly, he was very curious and eager to learn new things, so he used to ask a lot of questions. Secondly, he was an independent learner — he learned from elders, read a lot of books and did scientific experiments in a laboratory that he had set up in the basement of his house. Lastly, he had great determination. He faced many hurdles right from his childhood, but that did not stop him from doing what he wanted to do. These qualities helped Edison to become the great inventor that we know today.
9. (a) Orgo and his friends read the notice on the notice board. Complete the following sentence that conveys the message of the notice: “On the occasion of ______, every student will prepare ______ on ______.”
Answer: On the occasion of National Science Day, every student will prepare a speech on ‘Science in Everyday Life’.
(b) Orgo wrote an e-mail to Meera asking for help to prepare the speech. Read what he wrote.
Note: This is a reading activity. In his e-mail (Subject: Request for help to prepare a speech), Orgo tells Meera that he has to deliver a speech on the topic ‘Science in Everyday Life’ on February 28 at his school and politely asks her to help him.
(c) Meera’s reply is given in parts written on cards. Rearrange and write the parts in the proper places to get Meera’s e-mail.
Answer:
To: orgo6@gmail.com
Subject: Agreeing to help
Dear Orgo,
That’s really nice. I will definitely help you. I will come to your house tomorrow. Both of us will search on the internet, find the relevant information and prepare the speech. Is that ok, Orgo? See you tomorrow.
With regards,
Meera
10. (a) Read the sentences and notice the underlined words (is, am, are, was, were).
Note: The words ‘is’, ‘am’, ‘are’, ‘was’ and ‘were’ are different forms of the verb ‘be’. ‘is’, ‘am’ and ‘are’ are used in the present tense, and ‘was’ and ‘were’ are used in the past tense.
(b) Now, fill in the blanks with the appropriate forms of the ‘be’ verb:
- (i) Mita and Raman are my close friends.
- (ii) Mita is Raman’s neighbour.
- (iii) I am in regular touch with them.
- (iv) They were with me yesterday.
- (v) We were very happy to visit a park together yesterday.
11. Look at the picture and read the sentences given beside it.
Note: The sentences are — (i) Nikita is painting a scenery. (ii) Orgo is standing near the painting. When we talk about actions happening at the time of speaking, we use the Present Continuous Tense.
12. Now, read the following sentences.
Note: The sentences are — (i) Nikita has drawn a scenery. (ii) Meera has entered the room. When we talk about actions that have just happened, we use the Present Perfect Tense.
13. Choose the correct option and fill in the blanks:
Answer: Nikita has come (has come/is coming) to Meera’s house. Meera and Nikita are watching (have watched/are watching) T.V. now. They are eating (have eaten/are eating) snacks while watching T.V.
14. (a) Read the words in the box aloud and notice the beginning sound of each word: scene, scolded, Science, scattering.
Note: All four words begin with the consonant blend ‘sc’. In ‘scene’ and ‘Science’, ‘sc’ is pronounced ‘s’ as in ‘sun’. In ‘scolded’ and ‘scattering’, ‘sc’ is pronounced ‘sk’ as in ‘sky’.
(b) Read the words beginning with the consonant blend ‘sc’. Write ‘s’ if the word begins with the ‘s’ sound as in ‘sun’. Write ‘sk’ if ‘sc’ is pronounced like ‘sk’ as in ‘sky’. Two are done for you.
| Word | Sound (s / sk) |
|---|---|
| (i) scale | sk (done for you) |
| (ii) scent | s (done for you) |
| (iii) scene | s |
| (iv) scare | sk |
| (v) scissors | s |
| (vi) score | sk |
| (vii) scooter | sk |
| (viii) scan | sk |
15. Read what Meera told Orgo and Nikita about behaving well. Work with your friend and make a list of five examples of good behaviour. Present the list on a piece of paper and display it in the classroom.
Answer: This is a pair activity. A sample list of five examples of good behaviour is given below.
- Greet elders and teachers politely.
- Consider whether a person is busy before asking a question, and wait for your turn.
- Listen to others’ questions patiently and answer them politely, instead of dismissing them.
- Say ‘please’, ‘thank you’ and ‘sorry’ when needed.
- Help those who are in need.
16. Think and say: Nikita and Orgo resolved their conflict with the help of Meera. How do you address a conflict when you face one? List a few ways and share them with the class.
Answer: Answers will vary. A few good ways to handle a conflict are: stay calm and do not get angry; listen carefully to the other person; talk politely and explain your own point of view; try to understand the other person’s feelings; find a solution together; and, if needed, take the help of an elder or a teacher.
17. Listen to the news item about a moon mission read out by your teacher and fill in the blanks with the correct pieces of information.
- (i) India became the first country to land on the South Pole of the moon.
- (ii) The Chandrayan 3 mission was developed by ISRO.
- (iii) The Chandrayan 3 landed on the moon on 23rd August 2023.
- (iv) We observe National Space Day on 23rd August every year.
18. Project: You have learnt that C. V. Raman won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1930. Find out the names of other Indians who won the Nobel Prize in different fields. Collect and paste their pictures on a chart paper, and include for each: Name / Date of birth / Place of birth / Nobel Prize in the field / Year of receiving the Nobel Prize.
Answer: This is a project. Some Indians (and persons of Indian origin) who won the Nobel Prize are: Rabindranath Tagore (Literature, 1913), C. V. Raman (Physics, 1930), Mother Teresa (Peace, 1979), Amartya Sen (Economics, 1998) and Kailash Satyarthi (Peace, 2014). A sample completed card is given below.
- Name: Sir C. V. Raman
- Date of birth: 7 November 1888
- Place of birth: Tiruvanaikkaval, Tamil Nadu
- Nobel Prize in the field: Physics
- Year of receiving the Nobel Prize: 1930
19. Look at the illustration in Box 1. Try to draw a space shuttle in Box 2 following the steps shown in Box 1. Colour it and give it a name.
Answer: This is a drawing activity. Follow the six steps shown in Box 1 to draw the outline of a space shuttle in Box 2, colour it neatly, and give it a name of your own (for example, “Chandrayaan” or “Agni”).
Additional Important Questions and Answers
The following questions are extra practice for revision. They are not from the textbook activities.
1. Why does the colour of the sky change at different times of the day?
Answer: The colour of the sky changes because of the scattering of sunlight by the tiny particles in the atmosphere. During the daytime, blue light scatters the most, so the sky appears blue. At sunrise and sunset, sunlight travels a longer distance through the atmosphere, so most of the blue light scatters away and the red and orange colours reach our eyes — making the sky appear red, orange or pink.
2. What is the Raman Effect in simple words?
Answer: The Raman Effect is the change in the wavelength (and therefore the colour) of light when it passes through a transparent substance like water, glass or air. C. V. Raman discovered that some of the scattered light comes out with a slightly different colour from the original light. This discovery helped scientists to understand the structure of molecules.
3. Why is National Science Day celebrated on 28th February?
Answer: National Science Day is celebrated on 28th February because C. V. Raman announced his great discovery — the Raman Effect — on this day. The day is observed throughout India to honour his contribution and to spread the message of science among students and the common people.
4. What message does the lesson “A Curious Mind” give us?
Answer: The lesson teaches us that curiosity is the foundation of all learning. We should never feel shy or afraid to ask questions, because every great discovery in history has begun with a simple “why?” or “how?”. It also reminds us to be polite — to ask questions when a person is free, and to answer children’s questions patiently instead of getting irritated. A curious mind, combined with careful observation, can lead even an ordinary person to extraordinary discoveries.
5. Write a short paragraph (about 80 words) on “Sir C. V. Raman”.
Answer: Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, popularly known as C. V. Raman, was one of the greatest scientists of India. He was born on 7 November 1888 at Tiruvanaikkaval in Tamil Nadu and was a brilliant student. He completed his studies in physics at the Presidency College, Madras. In 1921, during a sea voyage, he wondered why the sea appears blue; this curiosity led to his famous discovery, the Raman Effect. For it he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930 — the first Asian scientist to receive this honour. He was honoured with the Bharat Ratna in 1954 and passed away on 21 November 1970. India celebrates National Science Day every 28th February in his memory.
6. Make meaningful sentences using the following words: (a) curious, (b) renowned, (c) discovery, (d) commemorate, (e) phenomenon.
- (a) curious: Children are naturally curious about everything they see around them.
- (b) renowned: C. V. Raman was a renowned scientist of India.
- (c) discovery: The discovery of the Raman Effect made India proud.
- (d) commemorate: We celebrate National Science Day to commemorate Raman’s discovery.
- (e) phenomenon: The changing colour of the sky is a natural phenomenon.
Summary (for revision)
“A Curious Mind” is a play from the ASSEB Class 6 English textbook Rainbow. Through a conversation between Nikita, Orgo and Meera, it shows that curiosity is the root of all learning and discovery. Meera tells the children about Sir C. V. Raman, who wondered why the sea is blue and went on to discover the Raman Effect, winning the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930. India honours him every 28th February on National Science Day. The lesson teaches Class 6 students to observe nature, ask questions politely, and never stop being curious.