Std 10 English chapters › Unit 3
In short: A reflective essay showing how ordinary things in nature, from a hibiscus flower to a caterpillar, teach us lessons of patience, persistence and change.
(एक चिंतनशील निबंध; जास्वंदाच्या फुलापासून सुरवंटापर्यंत निसर्गातील साध्या गोष्टी आपल्याला संयम, चिकाटी आणि बदलाचे धडे कसे शिकवतात हे दाखवतो.)
- Type: Prose (reflective essay)
- Author: Raksha Bharadia
- Unit: 3
3.5 The Alchemy of Nature: English Workshop Question Answers
Answers to every activity in the Std 10 English Kumarbharati textbook (Maharashtra Board), written by a practising English teacher. Read the lesson in your textbook first, then try each activity here before you check the answer.
Warming up 1: Group discussion points
✍️ Discuss your group’s point first.
Show sample points
- Seeds regerminate: Life goes on. One seed gives a plant, which gives many more seeds.
- Flowers wilt and become one with the earth: Nothing is wasted. What dies becomes food for new life.
- Cacti thrive in the desert: We can survive and grow even in hard conditions.
- Bare nature turns green in spring: Bad times pass and good times return.
- A caterpillar turns into a butterfly: Patience brings beautiful change.
Warming up 2: Role of nature (web)
Nature, the best teacher · gives us food, water and air · gives shelter to animals and birds · heals and relaxes us · teaches patience, hope and teamwork · inspires poets and artists
Warming up 3: What do we learn from them?
| Thing | What we learn |
|---|---|
| A bee | Hard work and teamwork |
| An eagle | To aim high and be fearless |
| A creeper | To keep growing and find support to rise |
| The river | To keep moving forward and help others |
| Rainfall | To give without expecting anything |
| Sun | Punctuality and discipline; to spread light |
Short questions from the lesson (margin questions)
- Explain the line “Nature whispers and commands”.
Nature teaches us softly through small things, and it also has great power that we must respect and obey. - What lesson do we learn from the hibiscus plant?
The flower lives only for a day, yet in full splendour. We too should live our life, however short, to the fullest. - What smiles with the sun and dances with the wind?
The hibiscus flower. - What kind of rock did the author find on the beach?
Rocks carved, sculpted and shaped by the water. - The rock is hard, but is it dominating?
No. The gentle water flows over it every day for years, and the rock gives in and takes the shape the water commands. - What do we learn from small bits of grass?
However impossible things may look, there is always an opening. - In what condition was the tree in the cold winter months?
It was bare of all leaves. - What do we find in the infinite sky?
Innumerable stars, and clouds that take new shapes every moment. - How can learning from nature help human beings?
It teaches us to live fully, to persist, to hope in hard times and to work together. These lessons make our lives “gold”.
Quick check: match each part of nature with its lesson
👉 Choose the lesson, then tap Check my answers.
Answer key
| Part of nature | Lesson | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Hibiscus flower | Live life to the fullest | It lives one day, but in full splendour. |
| Water and rock | Persistence can overcome hard problems | Gentle water shapes hard rock over the years. |
| Grass in a concrete pavement | There is always an opening | It peeps through small cracks. |
| Bare tree in winter | Hard times will not last forever | It turns green again in spring. |
| Ants carrying a fly | Teamwork and perseverance | They carry a fly ten times their size together. |
Q1. Features of the hibiscus flower (web)
- A flower blooms every fortnight.
- It is big, bright and tender.
- It smiles with the sun and dances with the wind.
- It starts wilting as evening approaches.
- It withers completely the next morning.
- By evening it falls and becomes one with the earth.
- It lives only for a day, but in full splendour.
Q2. Contrasting features of water and rock
| Water | Rock |
|---|---|
| 1. It is gentle. | 1. It is very hard. |
| 2. It flows over the rock every day. | 2. It is carved, sculpted and shaped by water. |
| 3. It keeps working for years (persistent). | 3. It finally gives in. |
| 4. It shapes the rock as it commands. | 4. It takes the shape the water commands. |
Q3. “Impossible” itself says “I’m possible”. Do you agree?
✍️ Write your own answer first.
Show a model answer
Yes, I agree. Nothing is impossible if we are determined. In the lesson, gentle water shapes hard rock, tiny grass grows through concrete, and small ants carry a fly ten times their size. In real life, Arunima Sinha lost a leg in an accident, yet she climbed Mount Everest. Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam came from a poor family and became a great scientist and the President of India. These examples show that with hard work, patience and courage, the “impossible” becomes possible.
Q4. Find synonyms from the text
👉 Choose the word from the lesson, then tap Check my answers.
Answer key
| Meaning | Word from the text |
|---|---|
| (a) strong feeling of fear or respect | awe |
| (b) to direct authoritatively | command |
| (c) to peer through | peep |
| (d) large and impressively beautiful | majestic |
| (e) easily broken or damaged | frail |
Q5. Counterview: “Too many cooks spoil the broth”
✍️ Write your own counterview first.
Show a model counterview
Many people believe that when too many people work on a task, they spoil it. I do not agree. With good teamwork, many hands make work easier and better. In the lesson, an army of ants organised themselves and carried a fly ten times their size, which no single ant could do. A cricket team wins only when all eleven players play together. Big projects like building a bridge or launching a satellite need hundreds of people. When a team has a clear goal, a good leader and respect for each other, more people bring more ideas and more strength. So “too many cooks” can actually make the best broth.
Q6. Words related to “ocean”
fishers · salty · waves · tides · ships · sailors · shore · beach · coral · shells · whales · deep · vast · blue
Q7. Special features of parts of nature
| Part of nature | Special feature | Value learnt |
|---|---|---|
| Water | Gentle, but shapes hard rock; changes form without ego | Persistence and humility |
| Rainbow | Colours the entire sky | Spread joy and beauty |
| Caterpillar | Turns into a butterfly | Patience brings change |
| Hibiscus | Lives one day in full splendour | Live life to the fullest |
| Grass | Grows through cracks in concrete | There is always a way |
| Tree | Becomes green again after winter | Hope: this too shall pass |
| Ants | Carry a load ten times their size | Teamwork and perseverance |
| Spider web | Delicate, yet very strong | Gentle can also be strong |
| Oyster | Turns a grain of sand into a pearl | Turn problems into treasures |
| Stars | Innumerable, shining across the sky | Shine in your own way |
Writing Skills: Question Answers
Q8. Letter to a friend with tips to relax before the board exam
✍️ Write your own letter first.
Show a model letter
12, Shivaji Nagar,
Latur 413 512
20th October 2026
Dear Sameer,
I hope you are well. Your mother told me that you study for 14 hours a day without a break. I know you want to do well, but please take care of yourself.
Studying for so long at one place makes the mind tired, and you may forget what you learn. Take a short break of 10 minutes after every hour. Go for a walk or play a game in the evening. Sleep for at least seven to eight hours, and eat fresh, healthy food. Do some deep breathing or yoga in the morning, and listen to music you enjoy. Study with a plan, and revise in short sessions.
Remember, a fresh mind learns faster. I am sure you will do very well. All the best!
Your loving friend,
Rahul
Q9. Interview questions for an environmentalist
- What made you become an environmentalist?
- What is the biggest threat to our environment today?
- How does plastic harm nature?
- What can students do to save the environment?
- How can we save water at home and at school?
- Why are trees so important for us?
- How can we reduce air pollution in our cities?
- What is global warming, and how does it affect us?
- How can we make our school eco-friendly?
- Which projects are you working on now?
- What message would you like to give our students?
Q10. News report: “Environment Day” in our school
✍️ Write your own news report first.
Show a model news report
Students Celebrate Environment Day with Tree Plantation
By a Staff Reporter
Parli, 5th June: World Environment Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm at New English School today. The programme began at 8 a.m. with a special assembly, where the Principal spoke about the importance of protecting nature. The chief guest, a local environmentalist, explained how plastic and pollution harm our rivers and soil.
Students of Std 10 planted 100 saplings in the school campus and the nearby road. A poster competition and an essay competition on “Save Earth” were also held. The eco-club presented a short play on saving water. All students took a pledge to say no to single-use plastic. The programme ended with a vote of thanks.
Q11. Story with the ending: “…and so, Aditi decided to plant more trees.”
✍️ Write your own story first.
Show a model story
The Shade of the Neem Tree
Aditi lived in a small village. Every summer, the heat was terrible, and the wells dried up. One hot afternoon, while returning from school, Aditi felt dizzy. She sat down under the only big neem tree on the road. Its cool shade made her feel better at once. Many birds were resting in its branches, and an old shepherd was sleeping under it with his goats. Aditi thought, “One tree gives so much shade, so many homes and so much peace. What if our village had a hundred such trees?” She told her friends and her teacher about her idea. That monsoon, they planted saplings along the road and watered them every day. The trees grew, the village became greener and cooler, and so, Aditi decided to plant more trees.
Moral: Trees are our true friends. Plant them, and they will protect us.
Q12. Just for laughs: crazy “if” sentences
- If I work very hard, my cat will learn to sing.
- If it rains tomorrow, I shall have a pizza.
- If the teacher comes late, the moon will turn blue.
The fun comes from joining a condition from Group A with a main clause from Group B at random.
Language Study: Question Answers
1. Match the pairs of antonyms
👉 Choose the antonym, then tap Check my answers.
Answer key
| Word | Antonym | Pair |
|---|---|---|
| gentle | hard | 1 – e |
| impossible | possible | 2 – a |
| colossal | small | 3 – b |
| short | long | 4 – f |
| difficult | easy | 5 – d |
| delicate | strong | 6 – c |
2. Complete the table
| Noun | Verb | Adjective | Adverb |
|---|---|---|---|
| strength | strengthen | strong | strongly |
| passion | — | passionate | passionately |
| change | change | changeable | — |
| organisation | organise | organised | organisedly |
मराठी टीप: -ness, -th, -tion (नाम), -en, -ise (क्रियापद), -ate, -able, -ed (विशेषण), -ly (क्रियाविशेषण).
Live English: Be a Netizen (Email Writing)
(a) Words that show emails are fast, cheap and easy
replaced snail mails · can be archived, saved, retrieved · eco-friendly · ease of access · on phone · at the cost of cheap internet · anytime, anywhere · free email service providers
(c) Sample formal email
To: principal@ourschool.edu.in (example)
Subject: Request for permission to start an Eco-Club
Dear Sir,
Thank you for encouraging us during Environment Week.
I am writing in reference to the tree plantation drive held last week. Many students of Std 10 want to start an Eco-Club in our school. We plan to plant trees, collect plastic waste and run a water-saving campaign. We request your permission to meet every Saturday after school.
Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
Priya Jadhav
Std 10 A
Steps: Greeting → Thank the recipient → State your purpose → Closing remarks → Closing. Use a short, clear subject line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who wrote 'The Alchemy of Nature'?
'The Alchemy of Nature' was written by Raksha Bharadia.
What does 'alchemy of nature' mean?
It means the magical power of nature to change things, like a caterpillar turning into a butterfly or a flower turning into a fruit.
What lesson does the hibiscus flower teach?
The hibiscus flower lives only for a day, yet in full splendour. It teaches us to live our life, however short, to the fullest.
What do water and rock teach us?
Gentle water shapes hard rock by flowing over it every day for years. It teaches us that persistence can overcome even huge problems.
What do the ants teach us in 'The Alchemy of Nature'?
The ants carry a fly ten times their size by working together. They teach us teamwork and perseverance.
Summary in English
The writer believes that nature is a great teacher, if we only stop and observe it. She describes several ordinary sights and the lesson each one holds.
A hibiscus flower blooms for just one day, yet it blooms fully, teaching us to make the most of the present. Water, soft as it is, slowly shapes hard rock, and a blade of grass pushes up through a crack in concrete: both show the power of persistence. A tree loses its leaves and grows them again, showing that change is part of life. Ants work together to carry a load, spider webs are delicate yet very strong, an oyster turns a grain of sand into a pearl, and a caterpillar turns into a butterfly.
Through these examples, the writer shows that nature quietly teaches teamwork, patience, hope and the beauty of change.
मराठीत सारांश (Summary in Marathi)
आपण थांबून निरीक्षण केले तर निसर्ग हा उत्तम शिक्षक आहे, असे लेखिकेचे मत आहे. त्या निसर्गातील काही साध्या दृश्यांचे आणि प्रत्येकातील धड्याचे वर्णन करतात.
जास्वंदाचे फूल फक्त एक दिवस फुलते, पण पूर्णपणे फुलते; ते आपल्याला वर्तमानाचा पुरेपूर उपयोग करायला शिकवते. मऊ पाणी हळूहळू कठीण खडकाला आकार देते आणि गवताचे पाते काँक्रीटच्या भेगेतून वर येते: दोन्ही चिकाटीची ताकद दाखवतात. झाडाची पाने गळतात आणि पुन्हा येतात; बदल हा जीवनाचा भाग आहे हे यातून दिसते. मुंग्या एकत्र येऊन ओझे वाहतात, कोळ्याचे नाजूक जाळे खूप मजबूत असते, शिंपला वाळूच्या कणातून मोती घडवतो आणि सुरवंटाचे फुलपाखरू होते.
या उदाहरणांतून निसर्ग शांतपणे सांघिक कार्य, संयम, आशा आणि बदलाचे सौंदर्य शिकवतो, हे लेखिका दाखवतात.
Theme and Message (मध्यवर्ती कल्पना)
Nature is a silent teacher. By observing it closely, we learn patience, persistence, teamwork and acceptance of change.
निसर्ग हा मूक शिक्षक आहे. त्याचे बारकाईने निरीक्षण केल्यास आपण संयम, चिकाटी, सांघिक कार्य आणि बदल स्वीकारणे शिकतो.
Useful Words (शब्दार्थ)
| Word | मराठी अर्थ | Use it in a sentence |
|---|---|---|
| alchemy | किमया, जादूई परिवर्तन | Spring works an alchemy on the bare trees. |
| persistence | चिकाटी | Persistence helped him pass the exam. |
| bloom | फुलणे, बहर | Roses bloom in winter here. |
| transform | रूपांतर करणे | A caterpillar transforms into a butterfly. |
| resilience | लवचिकता, पुन्हा उभे राहण्याची क्षमता | The farmers showed great resilience after the drought. |
| observe | निरीक्षण करणे | Observe the birds in your garden. |
For the Exam (परीक्षेसाठी)
- Be ready to match each example from nature with the lesson it teaches.
- The activities practise antonyms and word forms (strong, strength, strengthen), if-sentences and email writing. Revise Lesson 1: Parts of Speech and Lesson 11: Conditionals.
Think and Write (विचार करा, लिहा)
- Observe something in nature near your home for five minutes. What lesson does it teach you?
- Write a short paragraph on ‘Nature is the best teacher’.
- Which example from the essay do you like most, and why?
🎮 Practice Games: The Alchemy of Nature
Extra practice for revision, beyond the textbook activities. Play every game, then check your total score and stars! (उजळणीसाठी खेळ.)
🌿 What does nature teach?
🧩 Match each sight in nature with its lesson.
Sight → lesson
🔤 Word meanings
🎯 Tap the English word and its Marathi meaning.
English ↔ मराठी
⚡ Quick quiz
👉 Tap the correct answer.
What does ‘alchemy’ in the title suggest?
Answer: Alchemists tried to turn ordinary metal into gold; nature turns ordinary sights into lessons.
A blade of grass growing through concrete shows ___.
Answer: Even something small and soft can break through hardness.
A spider web teaches that something can be ___.
Answer: Strength does not always look strong.
What must we do to learn from nature?
Answer: Nature teaches quietly, if we notice.
✏️ Word forms
🎯 Tap a verb and its noun form.
Verb ↔ noun
Online test · 15 questions
3.5 The Alchemy of Nature: Lesson Test
Multiple choice · instant score with answers · certificate for 80% and above · free, no login
शिक्षकांसाठी: धडा शिकवून झाल्यावर ही test वर्गाला पाठवा. प्रत्येक विद्यार्थ्याचे गुण तुम्हाला आपोआप मिळतील.
These are original study notes and answers by englishresources.in to help you revise. Read the chapter in your Balbharati textbook first: these notes do not replace it. Only short phrases from the lesson and the activities are quoted, for reference.