Class 5 English Chapter 8 NCERT Solutions: Santoor The Decision of the Panchayat

A. Answer the following questions.

1. Why did the farmer buy the well?

Answer: The farmer bought the well because he needed a source of water for his fields after buying another field.

2. Why did the farmer become upset?

Answer: The farmer became upset because his neighbour refused to let him take water from the well, saying he had sold only the well, not the water.

3. How did the Panchayat solve the problem?

Answer: The Panchayat listened to both sides and decided that if the neighbour had sold only the well and not the water, then he must remove all the water or it would belong to the new owner of the well.

4. What was the final judgment given by the Panchayat?

Answer: The final judgment was that the neighbour must remove all his water from the well if he claims it is his. If not, the water belongs to the farmer who owns the well.

Let us Think

1. Do you think the decision of the Panchayat was correct?

Answer: Yes, the Panchayat's decision was correct because it was fair and prevented dishonesty. They ensured justice was done by making the neighbour either remove his water or accept that it belongs to the well’s new owner.

2. You have an extra painting box which you wish to share with your friends in the class to complete an activity. Two of your best friends, Radha and Sita, fight for the box. How would you deal with the situation so that you are fair to both of them?

Answer: I would ask them to share the painting box by taking turns or use it together, so that both can complete their activity and no one feels left out. This would be fair to both friends.

3. Who said to whom:
   1. “I sold only the well, not the water.”
   2. “Remove the water or use it all up immediately.”
   3. “He is not letting me take the water.”

• a. The neighbour said this to the farmer.
• b. The village chief said this to the neighbour.
• c. The farmer said this to the village chief.

A. Match the words with their meanings.

Word	Meaning
1. prospered	f. to grow wealthy.
2. cunning	a. clever in a tricky way.
3. worried	e. very upset.
4. summon	c. to order someone come to a particular place.
5. adamant	b. refusing to change one’s mind.
6. judgment	d. a decision made by a group.

B. Fill in the blanks with the correct prepositions (in, at, by, after, before, under, with, to, for)

1. The farmer went to the village chief to explain his problem.
2. The neighbour was standing by the well, blocking the way.
3. The villagers tried to reason with the cunning man.
4. The decision was made after careful consideration of both sides.
5. There lived a farmer in the small village.
6. The Panchayat members listen to both the sides before coming to decision.
7. The villagers gathered the Panchayat under the banyan tree.
8. The neighbour was punished for his dishonesty.
9. The chief listened carefully to both the farmer and the neighbour.
10. The villagers agreed to meet at a later time to discuss the issue.
11. The farmer decided to buy a well after buying his third field.

C. Rearrange the events in the correct order.

1. Sam decided to go for a walk in the forest near his house.
2. Sam walked along the narrow path, listening to the sound of birds chirping and leaves rustling.
3. Sam sat by a small stream to rest and enjoy the peaceful sound of the water.
4. After resting, Sam continued his walk, feeling refreshed.
5. Sam felt grateful for the time he spent in nature.

Let us Write

1. Imagine you are the farmer. Write a letter to your friend about the incident and the decision of the Panchayat.
   
   Answer:
   My dear friend,
   Something happened last week, which I want to tell you. I wanted to buy a well and, after buying my third field, purchased it from my neighbour. The next day, my neighbour refused to let me take water from the well, saying he sold only the well, not the water. I went to the village chief and told her my problem. The Panchayat called both of us and listened to our sides. My neighbour insisted that only the well was sold, not the water, but the wise Panchayat decided that if he owns the water, he must remove it from my well. Otherwise, it is mine. My neighbour realised his mistake, apologised, and was fined. The Panchayat showed great wisdom, and I am grateful for their justice and fairness.
2. Complete the following by adding the suffix ‘less’ to the given words.
   • Use + less = useless
   • Care + less = careless
   • Hope + less = hopeless
   • Fear + less = fearless
   • Colour + less = colourless

Let us Listen - Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa (Multiple Choice)

1. Where was Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa born?
   • a. A colony in Kolkata.
   • b. A small village in West Bengal.
   • c. A mountain in the Himalayas.
   • d. A forest in Kerala.
   Answer: b. A small village in West Bengal.
2. Who was the curious boy that became Sri Ramakrishna’s student?
   • a. Mahatma Gandhi
   • b. Swami Vivekananda (Naren)
   • c. Rabindranath Tagore
   • d. Sri Aurobindo
   Answer: b. Swami Vivekananda (Naren)
3. What kind of life did Sri Ramakrishna live?
   • a. A life full of luxury
   • b. A simple and loving life
   • c. A life of traveling
   • d. A secretive life
   Answer: b. A simple and loving life
4. What did Sri Ramakrishna compare religions to?
   • a. Trees in a forest
   • b. Stars in the sky
   • c. Rivers flowing to the ocean
   • d. Books in a library
   Answer: c. Rivers flowing to the ocean
5. What did Sri Ramakrishna teach Naren?
   • a. To find a teacher
   • b. To become wealthy
   • c. To travel the world
   • d. To find peace
   Answer: d. To find peace

Let us Do - The Neem Tree

1. Where can you find neem trees?

Answer: Neem trees can be found near houses, schools, or beside roads.

2. Why do you think ‘neem’ is called a magic tree?

Answer: Neem is called a magic tree because almost every part of it is used for medicine and it has many practical uses.

3. What happens when dry neem leaves are burnt?

Answer: When dry neem leaves are burnt inside the house, the mosquitoes disappear.

4. Why do people put neem leaves in clothes and rice containers?

Answer: People put dry neem leaves in clothes and rice containers to keep away insects and pests.

5. How are neem twigs used?

Answer: Neem twigs are used as a toothbrush to clean teeth.

6. Find the meaning of the word ‘disappear’ from the following options:
   • a. Appear
   • b. Vanish
   • c. Grow
   • d. Fly
   Answer: b. Vanish
7. Find the word in the passage which means ‘a short stick’:
   • a. Tree
   • b. Part
   • c. Twig
   • d. Leaf
   Answer: c. Twig

NCERT Solutions for Class 5 English Chapter 8: The Decision of the Panchayat 2025-26

Chapter 8 The Decision of the Panchayat teaches lessons of honesty and fairness. These NCERT Solutions for Class 5 English Chapter 8 (2025-26) help students understand wise decision-making and the consequences of being cunning or truthful.

Regular reading and practicing of NCERT exercise questions and answers improve comprehension and answer-writing skills. By exploring key terms like ‘Panchayat’ and ‘judgment’, students build a strong vocabulary for exams and life situations.

To excel in Class 5 English Chapter 8, review story events, practice new words, and always reflect on the chapter’s morals. Consistent practice ensures top marks and a clear understanding of every lesson.