NCERT Solutions for Class 5th English Chapter 9 A. Match each word with its meaning — Let us Learn
Book page 109 Updated on2026-09-19
Q1.
Here are some of the words from Vocation. Read the poem and match each word with its meaning.
Gong — ?
Answer
Gong → A metal disc that produces a loud sound when hit with a small hammer.
A gong is a big round plate of metal. You hang it up and strike it with a small padded hammer, and it gives one long, deep sound that carries a long way.
In the poem: “When the gong sounds ten in the morning and I walk to school by our lane”. The gong is being used as a clock — it is struck ten times to tell everyone it is ten o’clock.
Where you may have seen one: in a temple, in an old school where a metal plate is struck instead of a bell, or in a film where a large gong is struck before an announcement.
Q2.
Spade — ?
Answer
Spade → A tool used for gardening.
A spade has a flat metal blade at the bottom and a long wooden handle at the top. You press the blade into the soil with your foot and lift the earth out. It is used for digging, for turning the soil and for making beds for plants.
In the poem: “He does what he likes with his spade”. The gardener is digging the ground with it.
Q3.
Lane — ?
Answer
Lane → A narrow path.
A lane is a narrow road or path, usually between houses. It is much smaller than a main road. Two cycles can pass in a lane; two buses cannot.
The word comes twice in the poem. “I walk to school by our lane” in the first stanza, and “The lane is dark and lonely” in the third. The same narrow lane looks busy in the morning and lonely at night.
Q4.
Giant — ?
Answer
Giant → An imaginary man-like creature of great height and strength.
A giant is not a real animal or a real person. It is a huge, man-shaped creature out of stories — very tall and very strong.
In the poem: “the street-lamp stands like a giant with one red eye in its head”. The tall lamp-post looks like a giant standing in the dark lane, and its lamp looks like a single red eye.
Q5.
Lantern — ?
Answer
Lantern → A case that holds a candle or light in any form and can be easily carried.
A lantern is a light inside a case, with a handle on top so that you can carry it in your hand. The case protects the flame from the wind, so the light does not blow out.
In the poem: “The watchman swings his lantern and walks with his shadow at his side”. Because he swings it as he walks, his shadow moves about beside him — which is why the child says he is “chasing the shadows with my lantern”.
Q6.
The completed matching exercise.
Answer
Here are all five pairs together. Draw your lines in the book like this.
Word
Matches with
The line in the poem
Gong
A metal disc that produces a loud sound when hit with a small hammer
“When the gong sounds ten in the morning”
Spade
A tool used for gardening
“He does what he likes with his spade”
Lane
A narrow path
“I walk to school by our lane”
Giant
An imaginary man-like creature of great height and strength
“the street-lamp stands like a giant”
Lantern
A case that holds a candle or light in any form and can be easily carried
“The watchman swings his lantern”
How to check a matching exercise: Count the words and count the meanings. There are five of each, so every meaning is used exactly once. If one meaning is left over, one of your lines is wrong.