TOPIC 8 OF 17
Word Power — Key Vocabulary
🎓 Class 6
English
CBSE
Theory
Ch 2 — Unlikely Best Friends
⏱ ~40 min
🌐 Language: [gtranslate]
📖 English Comprehension Assessment
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This English Comprehension assessment will be based on: Word Power — Key Vocabulary
Targeting Comprehension & Recall with Intermediate difficulty.
📖 English Grammar Assessment
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This CBSE English Grammar Assessment will be based on: Word Power — Key Vocabulary
Assessment Format:
• 10 Randomized Grammar Questions (1 mark each)
• Question Types: Fill in the Blanks, MCQs, Error Identification, Reported Speech, Sentence Completion
Total: 10 Questions, 10 Marks
📖 English Vocabulary Assessment
▲
This English Vocabulary assessment will be based on: Word Power — Key Vocabulary
Targeting Vocabulary & Usage with Intermediate difficulty.
Before You Read — The Chair
Bloom: L1 Remember
Think and Discuss:
- Write down two words that come to your mind when you think of friendship?. Share them with the class.
- What makes someone a real friend? Is it the number of people you know, or something deeper?
- Can you name different words that mean “friend”? Think of words like partner, buddies, companion, and classmates.
Friendship Word Search
Find these words hidden in the grid: laughter, helpful, hope, loyal, loving, support, trust, respect
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Words That Mean “Friend”
Partner
Someone who shares an activity or experience with you.
Buddies
Close friends you spend a lot of time with — informal and warm.
Companion
A person who accompanies you, especially on a journey or task.
Classmates
People who study in the same class as you at school.
Word Power — Key Vocabulary
showed offphrasal verb
To display one’s abilities or possessions proudly to impress others.
“Mario showed off about how many friends he had.”
acceptedverb
Agreed to receive or do something that was offered or suggested.
“Mario accepted the bet without hesitation.”
readilyadverb
Without hesitation or delay; willingly and quickly.
“He readily agreed to take the invisible chair to school.”
atticnoun
A storage room or space just below the roof of a house.
“Grandfather went upstairs to the attic and returned with something.”
invisibleadjective
Cannot be seen; not visible to the eye.
“The chair was invisible — nobody could see it!”
determinedadjective
Having made a firm decision; showing strong willpower to achieve something.
“Mario was determined to prove his grandfather wrong.”
amazingadjective
Causing great surprise or wonder; astonishing.
“He told his classmates they were about to see something amazing.”
experiencedadjective / verb
Having knowledge or skill gained over time; also, to have gone through something.
“The grandfather was experienced and wise about people.”
buddiesnoun (plural)
Close friends; people you feel comfortable and happy with.
“Only three buddies held him up when he fell.”
Part I — The Bet
1
Mario was a cheerful boy who took great pride in having a large circle of friends. He was always showing off? about how popular he was, boasting to anyone who would listen about the great number of people he knew and how friendly he was with every single one of them. Hyperbole
2
One day, Mario’s grandfather listened to him bragging and smiled knowingly. The old man was experienced? and wise. He said to the boy with a twinkle in his eye: “I would wager a delicious fruit chaat that you do not truly have as many real friends as you believe. Most of the people you call friends are probably just companions or acquaintances — not genuine friends.”
Mario: (confidently) That is not true, Grandpa! I have loads of friends. Every person in my class is my friend!
Grandfather: (smiling wisely) Very well. Then let us make it a bet. If you can prove me wrong, I shall treat you to the finest fruit chaat in town.
Mario: (eagerly) Done! I accept? the bet. But how do I prove it?
3
Mario readily? took up the challenge, but then he paused. He had no idea how to test whether his friends were real or not. After thinking about it for a while, he went back to his grandfather and asked for help.
4
Grandfather chuckled and climbed the stairs to the attic?. After a few minutes, he came back downstairs. He appeared to be carrying something very carefully, though Mario could see nothing at all in his hands. Symbolism
Grandfather: (holding out his empty hands) Here, take this. It is a very special chair. You cannot see it because it is invisible?. Sitting on it is quite tricky. Take it to school tomorrow — if you manage to sit on it, the magic will do its work, and you will discover who your real friends are.
In-Text Check
Read and Find Out:
- True or False: Mario was proud of having many friends. (True)
- What did Grandfather bring down from the attic?
- Do you think Mario will face any difficulties with the invisible chair?
Part II — The Test
5
The next day, Mario took the invisible? chair to school. He was determined? to prove his grandfather wrong and win that fruit chaat. During the break, he gathered all his classmates and asked them to form a large circle. Mario placed himself right in the centre, holding what he said was a magical, invisible chair.
Mario: (excitedly) Everyone, listen up! You are about to witness something truly amazing?. Watch carefully!
6
Mario took a deep breath and tried to sit down on the invisible chair. Naturally, there was nothing to support him. He missed completely and landed flat on his backside. The entire circle of classmates burst into loud laughter. Irony
Mario: (getting up, brushing himself off) Wait, wait — just a slight technical problem! Let me try once more.
7
He tried a second time and fell again. The laughter grew even louder. Mario picked himself up and attempted it a third time, then a fourth. Each time he tumbled, the crowd laughed harder and harder. Many of those “friends” did nothing but enjoy watching him fall. Imagery
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Then, something remarkable happened. Mario attempted to sit down once more, and this time — he did not fall. He was sitting in mid-air, as if an invisible seat were truly supporting him. The crowd fell silent in astonishment. Simile
9
Mario looked around and discovered the secret. Three of his closest buddies? — Guneet, Asma, and Deepa — had quietly stepped forward. They were holding him up with their hands so that he would not fall again. While the rest of the crowd had simply laughed at each tumble, these three friends had cared enough to come to his rescue.
Key Insight
The invisible chair was never truly magical — but the test certainly was. The chair created a situation where Mario was vulnerable and looked silly. The people who simply laughed were not real friends; the ones who stepped in to help were the ones who truly cared.
10
Mario walked away from the circle with Guneet, Asma, and Deepa. He explained to them his grandfather’s wise trick: true friends are the ones who support us and care for us when we are in trouble, not those who find amusement in our misfortune. Symbolism
11
That evening, all four children visited Mario’s grandfather. The old man smiled warmly — he had won the bet, as Mario now understood that he had only a few genuine friends rather than the dozens he had claimed. But there was no disappointment. They all spent a wonderful evening together, sharing stories and enjoying a big bowl of delicious fruit chaat.
12
From that day forward, the four friends kept using what they called the “magic chair test” whenever they met new people. Anyone who passed the test — anyone who showed they truly cared — became their friend for life. Personification
In-Text Check
Stop and Think:
- True or False: Mario sat on the invisible chair successfully on his very first attempt.
- Who were the three friends who held Mario up?
- What lesson did Grandfather teach through the invisible chair?
Plot Arc — Freytag’s Pyramid
Character Map
Story Map
Characters
Mario, Grandfather, Guneet, Asma, Deepa, classmates
Setting
Home & school playground
Problem
Mario thinks everyone is his friend; Grandpa challenges this belief
Solution
The invisible chair test reveals only three genuine friends
Extract-Based Questions (CBQ Format)
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Extract-Based Question 1 — The Special Chair
“Here, take this. It is a very special chair. You cannot see it because it is invisible. Sitting on it is quite tricky. Take it to school — if you manage to sit on it, the magic will do its work, and you will discover who your real friends are.”
(i) Find two words from the extract that describe the chair.
L1 Remember
Answer: The two words are special and invisible. Grandfather calls it a “very special chair” and explains that it cannot be seen because it is invisible.
(ii) Why is the chair described as “tricky to sit on”?
L2 Understand
Answer: The chair is tricky to sit on because it is invisible — there is nothing physical to sit on. Since no one can see it, anyone who tries to sit will naturally fall down. This difficulty is actually the whole point of the test: it puts the person in a vulnerable position so that true friends will come forward to help.
(iii) Why does the grandfather call the chair “special”? What makes it truly special?
L4 Analyse
Answer: The chair is “special” not because of any actual magic, but because of what it reveals about people. When Mario tries to sit on it and keeps falling, it creates a test: those who laugh are mere companions, while those who rush to help are real friends. The grandfather uses the word “special” to make Mario curious and willing to take the challenge. The true specialness lies in the wisdom behind the idea.
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Extract-Based Question 2 — The Technical Problem
Mario fell on his backside. The classmates laughed loudly. “Wait, wait — just a slight technical problem!” he said, getting up and trying again. He fell once more. The laughter grew even louder.
(i) Why does Mario call it a “technical problem”?
L2 Understand
Answer: Mario calls it a “technical problem” to save face and maintain his confidence in front of his classmates. He does not want to admit that sitting on the invisible chair is impossible. By using a grown-up phrase, he tries to keep the crowd interested and give himself another chance to succeed.
(ii) True or False: All of Mario’s friends were caring when he kept falling.
L3 Apply
Answer: False. Most of the classmates simply laughed at Mario each time he fell. Only three friends — Guneet, Asma, and Deepa — stepped forward to help him. This shows that while many people were happy to watch his embarrassment, only a few genuinely cared about him.
(iii) Which word best describes Mario’s character in this scene: shy, strong-willed, or lazy? Give a reason.
L5 Evaluate
Answer: Strong-willed is the best word. Despite falling multiple times and being laughed at by the whole class, Mario did not give up. He kept trying, brushing himself off and attempting to sit on the chair again and again. This shows great determination and perseverance, which are qualities of a strong-willed person.
Comprehension — Thinking About the Story
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Answer These Questions
1. What was the bet between Mario and his grandfather about?
L1 Remember
Answer: The bet was about whether Mario truly had as many real friends as he claimed. Grandfather wagered a fruit chaat that most of the people Mario called friends were merely companions or acquaintances, not genuine friends.
2. What happened the first time Mario tried to sit on the invisible chair?
L2 Understand
Answer: The first time Mario tried to sit down, he missed completely and landed flat on his backside. Since the chair was invisible (and did not actually exist as a real chair), there was nothing to support him. All his classmates burst into laughter at the sight.
3. How did Mario finally discover who his real friends were?
L2 Understand
Answer: After falling repeatedly, three of his closest buddies — Guneet, Asma, and Deepa — quietly stepped in and held him up with their hands so he would not fall again. While many classmates had only laughed, these three showed genuine concern. This is how Mario learnt who truly cared for him.
4. Do you think the “magic chair test” was a good way to find real friends? Why or why not?
L5 Evaluate
Answer: Yes, the magic chair test was clever because it placed Mario in a situation where he looked vulnerable and silly. In such moments, people’s true nature comes out: those who only care about entertainment will laugh, while those who genuinely care will try to help. It is a simple yet effective way to see who stands by you in difficult moments. However, one could argue that some classmates may have wanted to help but felt too shy or confused to step forward.
5. What does the phrase “friends for life” mean in the context of this story?
L3 Apply
Answer: “Friends for life” means people who remain your friends forever, no matter what happens. In this story, it refers to the special bond between Mario, Guneet, Asma, and Deepa. Because they proved their care during the chair test, Mario knew he could trust and rely on them through thick and thin.
6. Can you think of other ways to find out who your real friends are? Describe at least two methods.
L6 Create
Answer (Sample):
- Share a problem: When you face a difficulty and share it with people, real friends will offer help and advice, while others might ignore you or change the topic.
- Observe during setbacks: If you do not perform well in a test or competition, notice who encourages you versus who makes fun of you. True friends lift your spirits.
- Ask for a small favour: A real friend will gladly help you with a reasonable request, while someone who is not a true friend may make excuses or refuse.
Quick Check — True/False & Fill in the Blanks
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True or False
1. Mario sat on the invisible chair successfully on his very first attempt.
L1 Remember
False. Mario fell on his first attempt and on several attempts after that. He only “sat” when three friends held him up.
2. The bet between Mario and his grandfather was for a fruit chaat.
L1 Remember
True. Grandfather wagered a delicious fruit chaat that Mario did not have as many real friends as he believed.
3. All of Mario’s classmates helped him when he kept falling.
L2 Understand
False. Most classmates only laughed. Only three friends — Guneet, Asma, and Deepa — actually helped him.
✏️
Fill in the Blanks
1. The bet was for a ___________.
L1 Remember
Answer: fruit chaat
2. Grandfather went to the ___________ and came back carrying something invisible.
L1 Remember
Answer: attic
3. Mario’s three real friends were Guneet, ___________, and Deepa.
L1 Remember
Answer: Asma
🔗
Match the Characters with Their Actions
| Character | Action |
|---|---|
| Mario | Tried to sit on the invisible chair |
| Grandfather | Made the bet and gave the invisible chair |
| Guneet, Asma, Deepa | Held Mario up so he would not fall |
| Most classmates | Laughed at Mario each time he fell |
Grammar Workshop — Suffixes
Understanding Suffixes
What Is a Suffix?
Root Word + Suffix = New Word
A suffix is a group of letters added to the end of a root word to make a new word. Adding a suffix can change the meaning or the part of speech of the original word.
Identify the Suffix
Look at these words from the story. Can you spot the root word and the suffix?
1
friend + ____ = friendly
2
sudden + ____ = suddenly
3
talk + ____ = talking
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carry + ____ = carrying
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call + ____ = called
6
show + ____ = showed
Match the Root Word with Its Suffix Form
Draw lines or write the correct pairs:
| Root Word | Suffix | New Word |
|---|---|---|
| magic | -al | ________ |
| care | -ful | ________ |
| celebrate | -tion | ________ |
| laugh | -ing | ________ |
| wonder | -ful | ________ |
| help | -ful | ________ |
| friend | -ship | ________ |
| courage | -ous | ________ |
Grammar Mind Map — Suffixes
Grammar Workshop — Adjectives (Describing Words)
Adjectives from the Story
What Is an Adjective?
Adjective + Noun = Described Noun
An adjective is a word that describes or gives more information about a noun. For example, in “a brave soldier,” the word brave is an adjective telling us more about the soldier.
Describing Mario
Based on the story, which adjectives best describe Mario?
Brave
He kept trying even when everyone laughed at him.
Determined
He did not give up after falling repeatedly.
Friendly
He loved being around people and making friends.
Match the Adjective with the Right Noun
Choose the adjective that best fits each noun:
Adjectives: brave, clever, tasty, heavy, slight, true
1
________ friends (who care for you deeply)
2
________ rain (very heavy downpour)
3
________ soldier (who shows courage)
4
________ plan (intelligent and well-thought)
5
________ peanuts (delicious to eat)
6
________ cold (mild, not serious)
Complete the Paragraph with Adjectives
Fill in the blanks with suitable adjectives from the box:
Word Box: invisible, delicious, loud, true, determined, clever
Mario was a ________ boy who loved making friends. His grandfather gave him a ________ test using an ________ chair. When Mario kept falling, the ________ laughter of his classmates filled the playground. But Mario was ________ and kept trying. In the end, he found his ________ friends and they all shared a ________ fruit chaat.
Listening — Manu Talks About a Friend
Listening Comprehension
Read the passage below (or have someone read it aloud to you). Then fill in the blanks.
“My name is Manu. My best friend is Monika. She is always ready to help me when I feel sad. We sit together in class and share our lunch every day. Monika is good at drawing, and she helps me with my art projects. I think she is the kindest person I know. We have been friends since Class 2.”
1
Manu’s best friend is ________.
2
Monika helps Manu when he feels ________.
3
They share their ________ every day.
4
Monika is good at ________.
5
They have been friends since Class ________.
Speaking — Qualities of a Good Friend
Choose and Discuss
From the list below, choose four qualities that you think are most important in a friend. Then explain why you chose each one.
Honest
Helpful
Loyal
Fun
Kind
Brave
Respectful
Trustworthy
Writing — A Friendship Message
Write Your Own Friendship Message
In the story, Mario would have wanted to thank Guneet, Asma, and Deepa for standing by him. Imagine you are Mario. Write a short message (3–5 sentences) to one of your three true friends, thanking them for their support.
Word limit: 30–50 words | Format: Informal message / short note
Dear _________,
I want to thank you for ___________.
When everyone was laughing, you ___________.
That showed me you are a ___________ friend.
I am so glad to have you in my life.
Your friend,
Mario
I want to thank you for ___________.
When everyone was laughing, you ___________.
That showed me you are a ___________ friend.
I am so glad to have you in my life.
Your friend,
Mario
| Criteria | Excellent (4) | Good (3) | Needs Improvement (2) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Content | Thanks the friend clearly; gives specific reason | Thanks the friend; reason is general | Message is vague; reason missing |
| Emotion | Warm and heartfelt; shows genuine gratitude | Friendly tone; some feeling | Flat tone; feels rushed |
| Language | Correct grammar; vivid words used | Mostly correct; some variety | Errors present; simple words only |
| Format | Follows message format perfectly | Follows format with minor gaps | Format not followed |
Explore — Friendship and Beyond
Friendship Word Hunt
Go back to the word search grid at the top of this lesson. Can you find all 8 hidden words? Try timing yourself — can you find them all in under 3 minutes?
Famous Friendship Sayings
Ask your family members or teachers to share one saying or proverb about friendship from any language. Write it down and share it with your class. For example: “A friend in need is a friend indeed.”
Design Your Own Friendship Test
Mario’s grandfather used an invisible chair. Can you think of your own creative test to discover true friends? Draw a picture or write a short paragraph about your idea!
Friendship in Other Stories
Think of another story, film, or book where friendship plays an important role. How is friendship shown in that story? Compare it with Mario’s experience.
Frequently Asked Questions — The Chair
What is The Chair story about in Class 6 Poorvi?
The Chair is a story from NCERT Class 6 English Poorvi Unit 2 Friendship. A grandfather helps his grandson Mario distinguish between real and superficial friends through a clever test. The story teaches that true friends remain loyal and supportive during difficult times, while superficial friends only stay when things are going well. It reinforces the unit theme of understanding what genuine friendship means.
What grammar topics are in The Chair exercises?
The Chair exercises cover two grammar topics: suffixes (word endings like -ful, -less, -ness, -ly that change a word's meaning or part of speech) and adjectives (describing words that give more information about nouns). Students learn to form new words using suffixes and to identify and use adjectives effectively in sentences, all connected to vocabulary from the story.
What are suffixes in Class 6 English grammar?
Suffixes are letters or groups of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning or grammatical function. Common suffixes taught in The Chair include -ful (care to careful), -less (care to careless), -ness (kind to kindness), and -ly (quick to quickly). Understanding suffixes helps Class 6 students expand their vocabulary and understand word formation patterns in English.
What is the difference between real and superficial friends in The Chair?
In The Chair, the grandfather teaches Mario that real friends are loyal, supportive, and stay with you during both good and bad times. Superficial friends only remain when things are pleasant or beneficial for them. The story uses a clever test to reveal which of Mario's friends are genuine. This distinction helps Class 6 students evaluate their own friendships thoughtfully.
What is a character map in The Chair lesson?
A character map is a visual diagram showing the relationships between characters in a story. In The Chair lesson, the character map displays Mario, his grandfather, and Mario's friends, with arrows showing their relationships and labels describing the nature of each connection. This helps students understand how characters interact and what roles they play in advancing the plot.
What writing task is given in The Chair exercises?
The writing task in The Chair asks students to write a friendship message or short letter to a friend explaining why their friendship is special. Students must use descriptive adjectives and express genuine feelings. The task connects grammar skills (adjectives, suffixes) to creative expression while reinforcing the unit theme of valuing true friendship.
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