Reading a new story is fun, but can you explain what happened and why? An unseen passage helps you practise this skill. You read a short text and answer questions using the information it provides.
If you are looking for an unseen passage for Class 4 with answers, try the three practice sets below. Each passage includes five questions and an answer key. The topics cover everyday experiences, nature, and kindness.
Read each passage carefully and attempt the questions before checking the answers.
What Is an Unseen Passage?
An unseen passage is a text you have not studied before. It may be a short story, a description, or an informational passage.
The questions test how well you understand what you read. You may need to:
- Find a fact in the passage.
- Explain why something happened.
- Put events in the correct order.
- Understand the meaning of a word.
- Suggest a suitable title.
You do not need to memorise the passage. Instead, look for details that support your answers.
How to Solve an Unseen Passage
Follow these simple steps:
- Read the whole passage. Find out who or what it is about.
- Read the questions. Notice words such as who, where, when, why, and how.
- Look back at the passage. Find the sentence or detail that helps you answer.
- Write clearly. Use complete sentences unless the question asks for one word or an option.
- Check your work. Make sure your answer matches the passage.
For questions that ask what you think, explain your idea using a detail from the text.
Unseen Passage 1: Meera’s Reading Corner
Meera loved reading, but there was no quiet place for books in her classroom. One Monday, she asked her teacher if they could make a reading corner. The teacher agreed and showed her an empty shelf near the window.
Meera and her classmates cleaned the shelf. Each child could bring a book from home if their family wished to share one. By Friday, the shelf held twenty books about animals, adventures, and science. The children also placed two mats beside it.
They made three rules: handle books gently, return them after reading, and keep the corner tidy. During the lunch break, Meera noticed that a new student, Kabir, was sitting alone. She invited him to read an animal book with her. Soon, they were talking about elephants and laughing at a picture of a muddy baby elephant.
Questions
- Where was the empty shelf?
- How many books were on the shelf by Friday?
- Write any two rules for the reading corner.
- Which word in the passage means “neat and organised”?
- What does Meera’s invitation tell you about her? Give a reason.
Answers
- The empty shelf was near the window in Meera’s classroom.
- There were twenty books on the shelf by Friday.
- Any two: Handle books gently, return them after reading, and keep the corner tidy.
- Tidy.
- Meera was kind and welcoming because she invited Kabir to read with her when he was sitting alone.
Unseen Passage 2: The Balcony Garden
Arjun wanted to grow vegetables, but his family lived in a flat without a garden. His grandfather suggested using pots on the balcony. Together, they filled three pots with soil and planted spinach seeds.
Every morning, Arjun checked the soil. He watered it gently when it began to feel dry. His grandfather helped him choose a spot where the pots received sunlight.
After a few days, tiny green shoots appeared. Arjun was excited, but his grandfather reminded him that plants needed time to grow. Arjun recorded the changes in a notebook and drew a picture every Sunday.
Several weeks later, the spinach had grown enough for them to pick some leaves. That evening, the family used the leaves to make soup. Arjun felt proud. He had learned that a small space could become a garden with regular care and patience.
Questions
- Why did Arjun use pots to grow vegetables?
- What did Arjun and his grandfather plant?
- When did Arjun water the soil?
- Put these events in the correct order:
- The family made soup.
- Tiny green shoots appeared.
- Arjun and his grandfather planted seeds.
- What lesson did Arjun learn from growing spinach?
Answers
- Arjun used pots because his family lived in a flat without a garden.
- They planted spinach seeds.
- He watered the soil when it began to feel dry.
- The correct order is:
- Arjun and his grandfather planted seeds.
- Tiny green shoots appeared.
- The family made soup.
- He learned that a small space could become a garden with regular care and patience.
Unseen Passage 3: The Missing Water Bottle
On Wednesday, Class 4 visited a nature park. Their teacher, Mr Das, asked everyone to carry a water bottle, a cap, and a small notebook. The children walked along a marked path and stopped to sketch leaves.
At lunchtime, Sana reached into her bag and found that her water bottle was missing. She remembered placing it on a bench near the entrance. Mr Das asked another teacher to stay with the class while he and Sana returned to the bench.
The bottle was not there. A park worker noticed them looking around and asked what they had lost. Sana described her purple bottle with a yellow star. The worker smiled and took them to the park office. Someone had handed it in.
Sana thanked the worker. Before putting the bottle away, she checked the name label on its base. She decided to check her belongings before leaving each place.
Questions
- Name the three things Mr Das asked the children to bring.
- Where did Sana remember leaving her bottle?
- How did Sana describe her bottle?
- True or false: Mr Das left the other children without a teacher.
- Suggest another suitable title for the passage.
Answers
- He asked them to bring a water bottle, a cap, and a small notebook.
- She remembered leaving it on a bench near the entrance.
- She described it as a purple bottle with a yellow star.
- False. Another teacher stayed with the class.
- One suitable title is “Sana Finds Her Bottle.” Other titles that match the story are also acceptable.
Vocabulary Practice
Review these words from the passages.
| Word | Meaning | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Gently | Carefully and softly | Place the book gently on the table. |
| Tidy | Neat and organised | Keep your desk tidy. |
| Shoots | New plant growth | Green shoots appeared above the soil. |
| Patience | The ability to wait calmly | Growing a plant takes patience. |
| Belongings | Things that someone owns | Check your belongings before leaving. |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Answering without checking the passage: You may remember a detail incorrectly. Look back before writing your answer.
Adding information that is not given: If the passage says “a nature park,” do not invent the park’s name.
Missing part of the question: If you are asked to name three things, include all three.
Giving an opinion without a reason: For a question about a character’s behaviour, use something the character said or did to explain your answer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I practise unseen passages at home?
Read a short passage and answer a few questions about it. Check your answers, then reread any part you misunderstood. You can also retell the passage in your own words.
Should answers use the exact words from the passage?
You can usually answer in your own words if the meaning stays correct. If a question asks you to find a word from the passage, write that exact word.
Can a question have more than one correct answer?
Yes. Questions asking for a suitable title or an explanation may have several correct answers. Your answer should fit the passage and include a reason when requested.
What should I do if I do not understand a word?
Read the sentence again and look at the sentences around it. They may help you work out the meaning. After finishing the exercise, check the word in a dictionary.
Try One More Activity
Choose your favourite passage and write a two-sentence summary. Include the main character and the most important event. Then compare your summary with the passage to check that you have kept the meaning.
