A Different Kind of School Class 6 NCERT English summary, Explanation, Question Answers 

By Tanmoy Kumar Bhattacharjya 

This article is about the text A Different Kind of School written by E.V.Lucas. This text although abridged gives a different concept of school system where each individual learns values like kindness, empathy, love and care .

A Different Kind of School Class 6English NCERT Summary, Explanation, Question Answers 

A Different kind of School Introduction Class 6 NCERT 

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A Different Kind Of School Summary Class 6 English NCERT

The narrator had already heard about the uniqueness of Miss Beam's school. He was very curious about it. So one day he decided to visit the school. 

On reaching there he met a girl of age twelve whose eyes were covered with bandage and she was being led by a four-year old boy. This was very curious for the narrator. 

Now the narrator was expecting the arrival of Miss Beam who was middle aged , around forty. She was strict but understanding. The plump figure was very comforting for a homesick child. The teaching style of Miss Beam was very unique. The children were taught a few basic calculations and writing. More focus was given on the independency of the children. The narrator was told that the main motive of the school was to inculcate thoughtfulness - kindness, empathy love and care for others. 

The narrator was taken to a garden where he found a boy helping a little girl. He also found one girl with a crutch. Readily he thought that one must be Blind and the other lame. Miss Beam explained that neither of them was blind nor lame. The school observes total five days, like deaf day, dumb day, injured day, lame day and blind day in each term. In this way the students are taught thoughtfulness and concern for others. 

On a blind day, a child's eyes are bandaged . Miss Beam takes the narrator to a child whose eyes were bandaged. The girl shared her pain and the fear that she feels she may by hit anytime by anyone. The girl feels blind day is the most difficult day among all the days observed in the school. 

The narrator takes the little girl for a walk and meets other students like Millie, Anita or the gardener Peter. 

This was a life-changing experience for the narrator as he developed a more concerned and thoughtful soul after this. He told Miss Beam that he felt sorry to leave the school. Miss Beam emphasized on the different aspects of her school where children learn values,  morality and thoughtfulness. 

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A Different Kind Of School Explanation Class 6 NCERT

Here you will get detailed explanation of the story A Different Kind Of School written by E.V.Lucas. 

Text: 

1. I had heard a great deal about Miss

Beam’s school, but not till last week did

the chance come to visit it.

2. When I arrived there was no one in

sight but a girl of about twelve. Her eyes

were covered with a bandage and she was being led carefully between the

flower-beds by a little boy, who was

about four years younger. She stopped,

and it looked like she asked him who

had come. He seemed to be describing

me to her. Then they passed on.

Word-Meaning: 

Great deal- too much 

Arrived- came 

Led- past form of 'lead' 

Explanation of the above text:

The narrator had heard too much about Miss Beam's School but he never had the opportunity to visit the school. 

The chance came to visit the school. On arriving he found a girl of about twelve years old who was being led by a little boy who was around 8 years old. She asked the little boy who came. Then they left the place. 

Text: 

3. Miss Beam was all that I had

expected — middle-aged, full of authority,

yet kindly and understanding. Her hair

was beginning to turn grey, and she had

the kind of plump figure that is likely

to be comforting to a homesick child. I

asked her some questions about her

teaching methods, which I had heard

were simple. 

Word-Meaning: 

Expected: Desired 

Middle-aged- age around forty or forty five. 

Understanding - who considers everything with wit.

Plump- fat 

Comforting: satisfying 

Methods: ways 

Explanation of the above text: 

Miss Beam was a very kind her strict figure. She was a middle-aged woman. Her fat figure was always comforting for a child. On asking about the teaching methods of the school, she said the methods were very simple. 

Text: 

4. “No more than is needed to help them

to learn how to do things — simple

spelling, adding, subtracting, multiplying

and writing. The rest is done by reading

to them and by interesting talks, during

which they have to sit still and keep

their hands quiet. There are practically

no other lessons."

Word-Meaning:

Interesting: pleasing 

Quiet: Silent 

Explanation of the above text:

On asking Miss Beam about the teaching methods and formulae she answered that they were very basic things. They teach simple calculation and writing. The importance of being quiet is also taught by reading lesson to them. 

Text: 

5. “The real aim of this school is not so

much to teach thought as to teach

thoughtfulness — kindness to others,

and being responsible citizens. Look out

of the window a minute, will you?”

Word-Meaning: 

Thoughtfulness- to think passionately

Responsible- dutiful 

Explanation of the above text: 

Miss Beam emphasized that the school aimed to provide an education system where more focus is on thoughtfulness, to develop values and morality among the children. The school aims to make the students responsible and kind. 

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Text: 

6. I went to the window which

overlooked a large garden and a

playground at the back. “What do you

see?” Miss Beam asked. 

7. “I see some very beautiful grounds,”

I said, “and a lot of jolly children. It

pains me, though, to see that they are

not all so healthy and active-looking.

When I came in, I saw one poor little

girl being led about. She has some

trouble with her eyes. Now I can see

two more with the same difficulty. And

there’s a girl with a crutch watching

the others at play. She seems to be a

hopeless cripple".

Word-Meaning: 

Overlooked: Have a view of something from a particular place. 

Jolly- happy and cheerful 

Trouble- Problems 

Difficulty - Problem 

Crutch- a long stick with a crosspiece at the top, used as a support under the armpit by a person

Cripple- disabled 

Explanation of the above text: 

The narrator along with Miss Beam went to the garden and found some children. These children were not very active. He found two others girls with bandage over their eyes. And he also noticed a girl with a crutch. He thought that she must be disabled. 

Text: 

8. Miss Beam laughed. “Oh, no!” she

said. “She’s not really lame. This is only

her lame day. The others are not blind

either. It is only their blind day.”

I must have looked very surprised,

for she laughed again.

Word-Meaning:

Suprised - Astonished

Explanation of the above text:

Miss Beam laughed when the narrator thought the girl to be disabled. She explained that the children were observing lame day and blind day. 

Text: 

“This is a very important part of our

system. To make our children appreciate

and understand misfortune, we make

them share in misfortune too. Each term

every child has one blind day, one lame

day, one deaf day, one injured day and

one dumb day. During the blind day their

eyes are bandaged absolutely and they

are on their honour not to peep. The

bandage is put on overnight so they wake

blind. This means that they need help

with everything. Other children are given

the duty of helping them and leading

them about. They all learn so much this

way — both the blind and the helpers. 

Word-Meaning:

Appreciate - praise

Misfortune - something bad, unfortunate

Explanation of the above text:

Miss Beam later on explained that it was a part of the school system only where every child has to observe one deaf day, blind day, lame day, injured day and one deaf day I'm each term. At night students are  put bandage over their eyes so when they wake up they find themselves bandaged. This is done intentionally to create a sense of kindness and empathy among all. Other children should help that particular child. It helps them understand the plight of the disabled people. 

Text: 

10. 10. “There is no misery about it,” Miss

Beam continued. “Everyone is very kind,

and it is really something of a game.

Before the day is over, though, even the

most thoughtless child realises what

misfortune is.

Word-Meaning:

Misery- helplessness

Explanation of the above text:

Miss Beam further explained that it was a game for them or learning by doing. As Miss Beam already told the main purpose is to create thoughtfulness. In this way even the most careless child understand one's misfortune and proceeds to help someone. This kind of teaching style creates a sense of empathy and kindness in one. 

Text: 

11. “The blind day is, of course, really

the worst, but some of the children tell

me that the dumb day is the most

difficult. We cannot bandage the

children’s mouths, so they really have

to exercise their will-power. Come into

the garden and see for yourself how the

children feel about it.”

Word -Meaning:

Worst- Superlative degree of 'Bad'.

Explanation of the above text: 

According to Miss Beam the blind day is the most difficult day among all. Some also say that dumb day is the most difficult as on this day one is bandaged on mouth . Now the teacher takes the narrator to the garden to see the situation himself. 

Text: 

12. Miss Beam led me to one of the

bandaged girls. “Here’s a gentleman

come to talk to you,” said Miss Beam,

and left us.

13. “Don’t you ever peep?” I asked the girl.

“Oh, no!” she exclaimed. “That would

be cheating! But I had no idea it was so

awful to be blind. You can’t see a thing.

You feel you are going to be hit by

something every moment. It’s such a

relief just to sit down.”

“Are your helpers kind to you?” I asked.

14. “Fairly. But they are not as careful

as I shall be when it is my turn. Those

that have been blind already are the best

helpers. It’s perfectly ghastly not to see.

I wish you’d try.”

“Shall I lead you anywhere?” I asked.

Word-Meaning: 

Awful- bad or terrifying

Ghastly - very bad 

Explanation of the text: 

Miss Beam takes the narrator to the garden where there was a girl bandaged on eyes. 

The narrator had a conversation with the girl. She expresses her grief and pain she feels when she is bandaged. She even accept that people are not so kind as they should be. She would be more careful if she had to help others, she told.

Text: 

15. “Oh, yes”, she said. “Let’s go for a

little walk. Only you must tell me about

things. I shall be so glad when today is

over. The other bad days can’t be half

as bad as this. Having a leg tied up and

hopping about on a crutch is almost

fun, I guess. Having an arm tied up is a

bit more troublesome, because you can’t

eat without help, and things like that. I

don’t think I’ll mind being deaf for a

day—at least not much. But being blind

is so frightening. My head aches all the

time just from worrying that I’ll get hurt.

Where are we now?"

Word-Meaning: 

Tied up - fastened 

Hopping - jumping 

Troublesome - something that causes trouble 

Frightening - terrifying 

Explanation of the above text: 

The narrator went on a walk with the girl who was bandaged over her eyes. According to the girl, this blind day the the toughest . The other days were although funny. To her the lame day is funny with one leg tied up and hopping on a support . Having an arm tied up was although annoying as she could not eat without help. But among all the days the blind day is the toughest day to her. 

Text: 

6. “In the playground,” I said. “We’re

walking towards the house. Miss Beam is walking up and down the

garden with a tall girl.”

 “What is the girl wearing?”

my little friend asked.

“A blue cotton skirt and

a pink blouse.”

“I think it’s Millie?” she

said. “What colour is her

hair?”

“Very light,” I said.

“Yes, that’s Millie. She’s

the Head Girl.”

“There’s an old man tying up roses,”

I said.

“Yes, that’s Peter. He’s the gardener.

He’s hundreds of years old!”

“And here comes a girl with curly red

hair. She’s on crutches.”

“That’s Anita,” she said. 

Word-Meaning: 

Tying up- tying things together. 

Explanation of the above text: 

Next the narrator along with the little girl went to the playground. They met a tall girl with whom Miss Beam was walking up and down. The girls said that it was Millie wearing a blue cotton shirt and a pink blouse. Millie was the head girl there. Next they met the gardener Peter who was busy trying up the roses. Peter was hundred years old. Anita was a girl who was with curly hair. She was observing lame day and she was on crutches. 

Text: 

17. And so we walked on. Gradually I

discovered that I was ten times more

thoughtful than I ever thought I could

be. I also realised that if I had to describe

people and things to someone else, it

made them more interesting to me.

When I finally had to leave, I told Miss

Beam that I was very sorry to go.

“Ah!” she replied, “then there is

something in my system after all.

Word-Meaning: 

Gradually - slowly 

Discovered - found out 

Explanation of the above text: 

The meeting with Miss Beam was over. The narrator understood that it made him more concerned and thoughtful. The narrator also felt sorry to leave as he wanted to spend more time there. Miss Beam understood that there was something very important in her school system that brought the change in the narrator. Indeed we understand the system of the school was very special. 

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Answer- 

Let’s go for a little walk. Only you must tell me about things. I shall be very glad when today is over. The other bad days can’t be half as bad as this. Having a leg tied up and hopping about on a crutch is almost fun, I guess. I don’t think I’ll mind being deaf for a day – at least not much. But being blind is so frightening.

 B. Answer the following questions

1. Why do you think the writer visited Miss Beam’s school? (1)

Answer- The writer was very eager and excited to visit Miss Beam's School as he heard a lot of good things about the school. He heard the school observed blind day, deaf day, dumb day, injured day and it also ensures values among the students. She al last had the opportunity to visit the school.

2. What was the ‘game’ that every child in the school had to play? (9) 

Answer- The game that every child has to play was very interesting. Each term every child had blind day, dumb day, injured day, deaf day and lame day. 

3. “Each term every child has one blind day, one lame day…”

Complete the line. Which day was the hardest? Why was it the hardest? (9, 11, 15)

Answer- "Each term every child has one blind day, one lame day, one deaf day, one injured day and one dumb day.

The blind day is the hardest because one was always scared of being hurt. On this day one's eyes are bandaged and she can't see all through the day. 

4. What was the purpose of these special days? (5, 9)

Answer- These special days were intentionally made for inculcating values among children and promoting kindness among them. 

The purpose was to create sensibility among the children towards the disabled. It also helped to understand one's misfortune. 

WORKING WITH LANGUAGE 

A. Match the words and phrases with their meanings in the box below. 

                       Paragraph Number 

1. homesick.                   (3)

2. practically                  (4)

3. it pains me                 (7)

4. appreciate                 (9)

5. thoughtless               (10)

6. exercise                     (11)

7. relief                         (13)

8. ghastly                     (14)

(almost it hurts me terrible test the strength of

understanding the difficulties wanting to be home

a welcome change not very caring)

Answer- 

1. Homesick- wanting to be home

2. Practically - Almost

3. It pains me- it hurts me 

4. Appreciate- Understanding the difficulties

5. Thoughtless- not very caring 

6. Exercise- Test the strength of 

7. Relief- A welcome change 

8. Ghastly- Terrible 

B. Re-word these lines from the story:

1. I had heard a great deal about Miss Beam’s school.

2. Miss Beam was all that I had expected — middle-aged, full of authority.

3. I went to the window which overlooked a large garden.

4. “We cannot bandage the children’s mouths, so they really have to exercise their will-power.”

Answer- I had heard a lot about Miss Beam’s school. So, I visited her school. Just as I thought her.  she was a middle-aged personality. I peeped out of the window and observed a large garden. Children were playing there. They had their Blind day and were acting as Blind. Some others were helping them. Miss Beam told that they are doing this in the school to inculcate values among their children. But they can not bandage their mouths, here they exercise their will-power. 

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