Q&A of CBSE Class 6 NCERT English textbook ‘Poorvi’ Chapter “Ila Sachani: Embroidering Dreams with Her Feet” These questions would help class 6 students studying the textbook “Poorvi”. Click here for more resources.
Class 6 NCERT English Q&A of the Chapter “Ila Sachani: Embroidering Dreams with Her Feet”
Intext-Question & Answers
Page 141
Let us do these activities before we read.
1. Look at the given picture and information. Discuss the questions with your teacher and classmates.

(a) Do you think Pranav’s task is simple? Why or why not?
(b) How does Pranav’s special ability make you feel?
(c) What qualities do you think were important for Pranav to become successful?
(d) What message does Pranav’s story give us?
Answers: Sample answers
Here are some Sample Answers to help guide the discussion with your students:
(a) Do you think Pranav’s task is simple? Why or why not?
Ans. No, Pranav’s task is not simple because painting without hands is very difficult. Most people use their hands to hold a brush, but Pranav paints using his feet. This requires a lot of practice and effort.
(b) How does Pranav’s special ability make you feel?
Ans. Pranav’s ability is inspiring. It shows that hard work and determination can help people overcome challenges. It also makes us appreciate how talented and strong he is.
(c) What qualities do you think were important for Pranav to become successful?
Ans. Pranav must have patience, determination, confidence, and a positive attitude. He also worked very hard to improve his skills.
(d) What message does Pranav’s story give us?
Ans. Pranav’s story teaches us that nothing is impossible if we work hard and believe in ourselves. It also tells us to never give up, no matter how big the challenge is.
Short Answers:
Here are even short answers for students:
(a) Is Pranav’s task easy? Why or why not?
Ans. No, it is not easy. Most people use their hands to paint, but Pranav paints with his feet. It takes a lot of practice and hard work.
(b) How do you feel about Pranav’s special ability?
Ans. I feel amazed and inspired. He shows that we can do anything if we try hard.
(c) What helped Pranav become successful?
Ans. He worked hard, never gave up, and believed in himself.
(d) What can we learn from Pranav’s story?
Ans. We should never give up, even when things are difficult. Hard work and courage can help us achieve our dreams.
2. Look at the picture of Kathiawar embroidery. Discuss in pairs.

(a) List the steps you think are needed to create this embroidery.
(b) Discuss if these steps can be done with feet, instead of hands.
(c) What efforts would be needed if someone has to embroider with their feet? Do you think it is possible?
Answers: Sample Answers
Here are Sample Answers to help students discuss:
(a) List the steps you think are needed to create this embroidery.
Ans. Steps are listed below:
- Choose a design.
- Draw the design on the fabric.
- Select colourful threads.
- Use a needle to stitch the design.
- Add decorative details like mirrors or beads.
- Finish the embroidery by cutting extra threads.
(b) Can these steps be done with feet instead of hands?
Ans. It would be very difficult, but it might be possible with practice. Holding a needle with toes and stitching would take a lot of control and patience.
(c) What efforts would be needed to embroider with feet? Is it possible?
Ans. A person would need a lot of practice, patience, and determination. They would have to train their toes to hold and move the needle carefully. It would take a long time to learn, but with effort, it could be possible.
NCERT Exercises Q&A of “Ila Sachani: Embroidering Dreams with Her Feet”
Let us discuss
Read the paragraphs and write the main idea for each. Then, match the main idea with two supporting details.

Answer:
Paragraph | Main Idea | Two Supporting Details |
---|---|---|
1 | Introduction to Ila Sachani’s colourful embroidery | (i) Examples of embroidered things (ii) Ila’s use of a shiny needle |
2 | Early challenges and family support | (i) Ila was born with weak hands (ii) She wanted to draw like other children but couldn’t |
3 | Learning embroidery with feet | (i) Her mother and grandmother taught her (ii) She accepted the challenge with determination |
4 | Ila’s improvement and learning new styles | (i) She became an expert in embroidery (ii) Learned various styles like Kachhi, Kashmiri, and Lucknawi |
5 | Gaining recognition in the village | (i) Created embroidery for family and friends (ii) Her work was admired and became well-known in the village |
6 | Recognition at a state exhibition | (i) Government officials displayed her work (ii) She became famous beyond her village |
7 | National recognition and awards | (i) Participated in national exhibitions (ii) Won many awards, including the President’s Medal |
8-9 | Success and inspiration | (i) Financial independence and joy (ii) Challenges can be turned into victories |
Let us think and reflect
1. Read the following lines and answer the questions that follow. Unlike other children, she could not use her hands in the usual way. While other small hands drew figures in the sand or plucked wild flowers, she wondered why she could not join them. She too wanted to hold a chalk in her hands and draw figures on a slate.
- (a) Choose the correct option to fill in the blank. ‘Unlike other children’ means that Ila was ____. (unaware/different/simple)
- (b) What could Ila have felt when she could not join others in things they did?
- (c) Complete the following with a suitable reason. Ila could not draw figures on the slate because ____.
Answer:
(a) ‘Unlike other children’ means that Ila was different.
(b) Ila might have felt sad, frustrated, or left out when she could not join others in their activities. She may have wished to be like them and participate in the fun.
(c) Ila could not draw figures on the slate because her hands were weak and she could not use them like other children.
Other Q&A:
2. What creative ways did Ila and her family use to overcome the challenges she faced?
- Ila’s mother and grandmother taught her Kathiawar embroidery using her feet.
- Her parents helped her learn daily activities like eating and combing her hair with her legs.
- Her younger siblings also supported her in learning embroidery.
3. How did ‘new independence’ help Ila?
- It gave her financial stability as she earned money through her embroidery.
- It brought her joy and confidence in doing what she loved.
- She proved that challenges can be turned into victories with determination.
4. Why was the first state exhibition an important event in Ila’s life?
Ans:
- It was the first time her talent was recognized beyond her village.
- The exhibition opened new opportunities for her, leading to more success.
- People appreciated and purchased her work, making her famous.
5. What does the sentence, ‘art has the power to rise above physical boundaries and touch the soul’, tell us about the power of art?
Ans:
- Art is not limited by physical abilities; it comes from passion and creativity.
- It can inspire and move people, no matter how it is created.
- Ila’s embroidery, made with her feet, proves that true talent has no limits.
6. How can we be helpful and encouraging like Ila’s family and friends when someone faces challenges?
Ans:
- Support them emotionally and motivate them to keep trying.
- Help them find creative solutions to overcome their difficulties.
- Appreciate their efforts and talents, just like Ila’s family did.
- Include them in activities so they don’t feel left out.
7. How can Ila’s story help others to overcome challenges in their lives?
Ans:
- It teaches that determination and hard work can help us succeed.
- It inspires people to turn difficulties into strengths.
- It shows that with support and encouragement, anyone can achieve their dreams.
- It reminds us that nothing is impossible if we have a strong will.
Let us learn
1. Read the words from the text given in Column A. Then, try to understand what they mean by reading the sentences in Column B. Now, match the word to its correct synonym in Column C. There are two extra synonyms given. You may refer to the dictionary.

Answer:
Here is the correct matching of words with their synonyms:
- tiny → small
- wonderful → fantastic
- quiet → silent
- task → work
- tough → difficult
The extra words happy and dangerous do not match any words in Column A.
2. Unscramble the antonyms of the words in Column A. An example has been given for you.

Answer:
Here are the unscrambled antonyms:
(a) tiny – HUGE
(b) wonderful – TERRIBLE
(c) quiet – NOISY
(d) task – PASTIME
(e) tough – EASY
Now, you can use these antonyms in sentences of your own! Let me know if you need help with that.
Here are Sample Sentences:
(a) The elephant is huge, but the rabbit is tiny.
(b) The movie was terrible, so we left early.
(c) The classroom was noisy during lunch break.
(d) Reading is a great pastime on weekends.
(e) The test was easy because I studied well.
Another Set of sentences:
- Huge – The Blue Whale is a huge animal.
- Terrible – The weather is terrible.
- Noisy – The market is noisy.
- Pastime – Reading is my pastime.
- Easy – This test is easy.
3. Read the sentences from the text and focus on the highlighted words.
- You will see lots of bright colours.
- There are many lovely things like cushions and bedcovers.
- They taught her to create many beautiful patterns using her feet!
- She learned many styles.
- She received many awards.
(a) The highlighted words tell us about the quantity. Choose what the words show.
(i) Unmentioned quantity
(ii) Large quantity
Answer:
The highlighted words (lots of, many, beautiful) indicate (i) Unmentioned quantity, as they do not specify an exact number but suggest more than one.
(b) Let us now understand what words of quantity tell us.
Fill in the blanks to complete an example for each word of quantity. Hints are given in the brackets.

Now, create two sentences for each word of quantity (i-vi), and share them with your teacher and classmates.
Answer:
Sample Answers are given below:
(i) We saw many buses on the road. (countable noun)
(ii) How much milk do you want? (uncountable noun)
(iii) There is some milk needed. (uncountable noun)
(iv) I need a few examples. (countable noun)
(v) I have little energy left. (uncountable noun) / She picked a few flowers. (countable noun)
(vi) I ate some rice. (uncountable noun)
Sample Example of Sentences:
(i) Many (used with countable nouns)
- Many students are in the classroom.
- I have many pencils in my box.
(ii) Much (used with uncountable nouns)
- There isn’t much sugar in the jar.
- How much water do you drink every day?
(iii) Some (used with countable or uncountable nouns)
- I bought some apples from the market.
- There is some butter on the bread.
(iv) A few (used with countable nouns)
- I saw a few birds on the tree.
- She asked a few questions in class.
(v) Little (used with uncountable nouns)
- There is little time left to finish the test.
- I had little energy after the race.
(vi) A few / Little (countable and uncountable mix)
- A few:
- A few friends came to my birthday party.
- A few books were missing from the shelf.
- Little:
- There is little milk in the glass.
- He had little interest in the game.
Let us listen
You will listen to a talk about Kathiawar embroidery. As you listen, circle the correct option. (refer to page 164 for transcript)

Answer:
Based on the audio transcript, here are the correct options to circle:
- a. (i) old
- b. (ii) bright
- c. (ii) chain stitch
- d. (i) children’s caps
- e. (i) small mirrors
- f. (ii) squares and triangles
Let us speak
In pairs, write down two questions you would like to ask Ila Sachani.
(a) Look at two examples.
Where were you born? Did you go to school?
The Yes/No questions use a rising tone at the end.
Ans. Here are two questions you can ask Ila Sachani:
- Did you ever feel discouraged while learning?
- How did you first learn embroidery?
(b) Speak the example questions aloud as a peer activity at least five times.
Ans. Do yourself:
Try practicing these questions with your classmates, making sure to use a rising tone at the end of Yes/No questions. You can also come up with more questions like:
(c) Now, take turns to ask your questions to another classmate. Speak clearly and with the correct rising tone as shown in (a).
Ans. You can also come up with more questions like:
- Have you taught embroidery to others?
- Who inspired you to continue embroidery?
- What was your biggest challenge?
Let us explore
1 Does anyone in your family or neighbourhood do embroidery? Find out what type of embroidery they do and how they learnt it.
Ans. Do yourself
2. Try a simple stitch on cloth with the guidance of a family member.
Ans. Do yourself.
3. Visit the given link to find out about embroidery types from different parts of India. Share with your teacher and classmates which one you liked the most and why.
https://indianculture.gov.in/textiles-and-fabrics-of-india/type-of textile/embroidery
Answer:
A Sample Answer is given below.
India boasts a rich tapestry of embroidery styles, each reflecting the unique cultural heritage of its region. Here are some notable types:
1. Zardozi (Uttar Pradesh): Zardozi is a luxurious form of embroidery that involves sewing gold and silver threads onto fabrics like velvet, satin, and silk. This intricate art often incorporates pearls, beads, and precious stones, creating opulent designs. Historically, real gold and silver were used, but today, gilded wires are common.
2. Phulkari (Punjab and Haryana): Phulkari, meaning “flower work,” originated in Punjab and is also practiced in Haryana. This embroidery is characterized by vibrant floral patterns embroidered with coloured silken threads on the reverse side of coarse cotton fabric. Traditionally, it adorns dupattas, shawls, and headscarves, often worn during festivals and weddings.
3. Chikankari (Uttar Pradesh): Chikankari is a delicate and artful embroidery style from Lucknow, involving intricate white thread work on fine fabrics like muslin, cotton, and silk. The motifs often include floral patterns and are known for their shadow effect, giving the fabric a subtle elegance.
4. Kantha (West Bengal and Odisha): Kantha embroidery involves simple, running stitches to create beautiful motifs, often depicting flowers, animals, and everyday activities. Originally used to repurpose old saris into light quilts, Kantha has evolved into decorating various garments and home furnishings.
5. Aari (Gujarat and Rajasthan): Aari embroidery is characterized by the use of a hooked needle, known as an ‘aari,’ to create fine, chain-stitch patterns. Often done on a stretched fabric, this technique is embellished with zari threads, beads, and sequins, resulting in elaborate designs. citeturn0search3
6. Banjara (Andhra Pradesh): Practiced by the Lambada gypsy tribes, Banjara embroidery is a vibrant mix of appliqué with mirrors and beadwork. Brightly coloured fabrics are stitched together, creating dynamic patterns that reflect the nomadic spirit of the community.
7. Kasuti (Karnataka): Kasuti is a traditional form of embroidery from Karnataka, involving intricate patterns stitched with a single thread. The designs often depict temples, chariots, and other traditional motifs, requiring precision and a keen eye for detail.
8. Lambadi (Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka): Lambadi embroidery is done over a base fabric of red or blue and involves embellishments using mirrors, cowrie shells, silver trinkets, beads, and coins. This vibrant art form is practiced by the Lambadi community, reflecting their rich cultural heritage.
Personal Preference: Among these, Phulkari stands out for its vibrant colours and floral motifs. The way it transforms simple fabrics into lively pieces of art resonates deeply, reflecting the joy and spirit of Punjabi culture. The intricate patterns and the stories they tell through stitches make Phulkari not just an embroidery style, but a narrative woven into fabric.
Note: For more detailed information on these embroidery styles, you can visit the Indian Culture Portal.