Honesty
A handkerchief found on the road, extra money a shopkeeper gave by mistake, a chalk broken in class : each time whether we tell the truth or hide it shows our honesty. The exam asks such questions, and you have to choose the right decision.
Emotional and social intelligence is the ability to take the right decision in a difficult or wrong moment. Of the four options choose the decision that is truthful, does not trouble others, and is useful to you and to others.
Honesty
| Situation | Right decision |
|---|---|
| Found something | Give it to the owner or a teacher |
| Made a mistake | Tell the truth and say sorry |
| Got extra money | Give it back |
| Copying in the exam | Refuse, write by yourself |
Give a thing you found to its owner or to a responsible person (teacher, shopkeeper).
- E.g. You found a watch on the road : give it to a teacher or a nearby elder.
If you made a mistake, tell it truthfully and say sorry.
- E.g. A friend's notebook got torn : tell your friend and say sorry.
Do not escape by lying or by blaming someone else.
- E.g. You broke the chalk : say, "It broke because of me."
Do not take another's thing without permission; do not copy in the exam.
- E.g. A friend sitting next to you shows the answer : say no and write by yourself.
Ravi found a watch in the school ground. What should he do? (1) Take it home (2) Give it to the class teacher (3) Sell it to a friend (4) Hide it under a tree
- The watch belongs to someone else.
- If given to the teacher it will reach its owner. Answer : (2).
Suresh accidentally tore a friend's notebook. What should he do? (1) Keep quiet (2) Blame someone else (3) Tell the friend and say sorry (4) Hide the notebook
- The mistake is his.
- Telling the truth and saying sorry is right. Answer : (3).
In the exam the friend next to you shows you the answer. What should you do? (1) Look and write (2) Snatch the friend's paper (3) Change the paper without telling the teacher (4) Refuse and write your own answer
- Copying is wrong.
- Refusing and writing by yourself is right. Answer : (4).
Telling the truth and returning another's thing is always the right decision.
Thinking, "No one saw, so it is fine." Tell the truth even when no one saw.
Memory clue : "Tell the truth, give it back, write by yourself."
If the options have words like hiding, lying or blaming someone else, drop those options.
Spot the difference
| Wrong | Right |
|---|---|
| Hiding | Telling the truth |
| Keeping it | Returning it |
| Copying | Writing by yourself |
Practice questions
- 1The shopkeeper accidentally gave you Rs 10 extra. What will you do? (1) Take it quietly (2) Tell friends and laugh (3) Tell the shopkeeper and give it back (4) Throw the money away
- 2You broke the chalk in class and the teacher asks. What will you say? (1) "Not me" (2) I will name someone else (3) I will keep quiet (4) "It broke because of me"
- 3A friend's pencil fell and he did not notice. What will you do? (1) Keep it (2) Give it back to him (3) Throw it away (4) Put it on his bench without telling anyone
- 4You lost a book borrowed from the library. What will you do? (1) Say nothing (2) Take someone else's book (3) Tell the librarian and ask the rule (4) Stop going to the library
- 5You see a Rs 100 note lying on the road; no one is near but there is a shop. What will you do? (1) Take it and eat chocolate (2) Share it with friends (3) Leave it there (4) Tell the shopkeeper or an elder and hand it over
- 6You did not do your homework and the teacher asks. What will you say? (1) I will lie that I was ill (2) I will show a friend's notebook (3) I will tell the truth and promise to finish it tomorrow (4) I will say the notebook is lost
- 7A friend told a false good story about you and you are benefiting from it. What will you do? (1) Keep quiet (2) Take the benefit (3) Lie some more (4) Tell the truth and clear the misunderstanding
- 8You accidentally broke something in a shop; no one saw. What will you do? (1) Walk away (2) Tell the shopkeeper (3) Blame someone else (4) Hide the thing
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1(3) Tell the shopkeeper and give it back.
- 2(4) Say, "It broke because of me."
- 3(2) Give it back to him.
- 4(3) Tell the librarian and ask the rule.
- 5(4) Tell the shopkeeper or an elder and hand it over.
- 6(3) Tell the truth and promise to finish it tomorrow.
- 7(4) Tell the truth and clear the misunderstanding.
- 8(2) Tell the shopkeeper.
Help and kindness
An old man falls on the road, a small child cries in the market, a friend forgot his lunch box : whether we step forward and help at such times shows our caring heart. While helping we also have to take care of our own safety.
Helping someone in trouble and avoiding behaviour that hurts him is kindness and cooperation. While helping, in a dangerous place it is right not to go yourself but to call elders.
Help and kindness
| Situation | Right decision |
|---|---|
| Someone has fallen | Call elders, give a hand |
| A lost child | Take him to an elder or the police |
| A sad friend | Listen, sit close |
| A dangerous place | Do not jump in; shout and call help |
Help someone in trouble and call elders if needed.
- E.g. Grandfather fell on the road : call nearby elders and give him a hand to get up.
Do not go to a dangerous place yourself; inform elders or the help number.
- E.g. Someone fell in the pond and you cannot swim : shout and call elders.
Help the young, the old and the sick first.
- E.g. An old woman is standing in the bus : give her your seat.
If a friend is sad do not tease him; listen and comfort him.
- E.g. A friend is sitting alone on the trip : take him into the game.
An old man fell on the road. What will you do? (1) Laugh (2) Call nearby elders and help (3) Take a photo (4) Walk away
- The old man needs help.
- Calling elders and giving a hand to get up is right. Answer : (2).
On the trip your friend sits alone and does not play. What will you do? (1) Leave him alone (2) Tease him (3) Ask him and include him in the game (4) Go away without telling the teacher
- He is alone and perhaps sad.
- Asking and including him is right. Answer : (3).
A boy has fallen into a pond and you cannot swim. What will you do? (1) Jump in yourself (2) Run away (3) Keep watching (4) Shout loudly and call elders
- If you cannot swim, jumping in is dangerous.
- Shouting loudly and calling elders is right. Answer : (4).
While helping do not put yourself in danger; calling elders is also help.
Going yourself to a dangerous place without asking. If you cannot swim do not jump into the water.
Memory clue : "Help, stay safe, call elders."
Drop the options "laughing, teasing, running away, watching".
Spot the difference
| Wrong | Right |
|---|---|
| Watching | Helping |
| Teasing | Asking how he is |
| Going into danger yourself | Calling elders |
Practice questions
- 1A small child is crying in the market. What will you do? (1) Ignore him (2) Laugh (3) Take him to an elder or a shopkeeper (4) Take him home
- 2A friend cries because he lost the game. What will you do? (1) Laugh (2) Comfort him (3) Walk away (4) Tell everyone
- 3An old woman is carrying a heavy bag. What will you do? (1) Keep watching (2) Ignore her (3) Run away (4) Ask and help her lift the bag
- 4A new student has come to class. He sits alone. What will you do? (1) Get to know him (2) Tease him (3) Ignore him (4) Not speak to him
- 5Your friend did not bring his lunch box. What will you do? (1) Tease him (2) Hide your own box (3) Share your lunch with him (4) Tell the teacher that he did not bring a box
- 6An injured bird is lying under a tree. What will you do? (1) Throw a stone (2) Tell elders and get help (3) Take it away and keep it as a pet (4) Ignore it
- 7A blind man is trying to cross the road. What will you do? (1) Keep watching (2) Ask and help him cross by holding his hand (3) Laugh (4) Walk away
- 8Your classmate has not come to school for some days because he is ill. What will you do? (1) Ignore it (2) Tell elders, enquire, and give him what was taught in class (3) Tease him (4) Hide his notebook
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1(3) Take him to an elder or a shopkeeper.
- 2(2) Comfort him.
- 3(4) Ask and help her lift the bag.
- 4(1) Get to know him.
- 5(3) Share your lunch.
- 6(2) Tell elders and get help.
- 7(2) Ask and help him cross.
- 8(2) Enquire and give him what was taught in class.
Anger and self-control
Someone teased us, we lost a game, we got low marks in the exam : we feel angry or sad then. Feeling angry is not wrong; but what we do in anger matters. Staying calm and taking the right decision is self-control.
Self-control means staying calm and acting thoughtfully even when anger or sorrow comes. Fighting, throwing things or stopping talking is not self-control; saying it in words and taking elders' help is self-control.
Anger and self-control
| Situation | Right decision |
|---|---|
| Teased | Say calmly that you do not like it |
| Failed | Find the reason and try again |
| Lost the game | Congratulate the winner |
| Felt it was unfair | Talk calmly to elders |
If you feel angry pause for a moment, take a deep breath, then speak.
- E.g. A friend teased you : pause and say, "I do not like this."
Fighting or throwing things is not the answer; say it in words.
- E.g. Someone pushed you : do not hit, say it calmly.
If you fail do not blame others; find the mistake and correct it.
- E.g. You got low marks : see where you went wrong and study better next time.
In a game there is winning and losing; congratulate the winner.
- E.g. You lost the game : say, "Well played," and improve next time.
A friend teased you and you felt angry. What will you do? (1) Hit him (2) Pause and calmly say that you do not like it (3) Throw his bag (4) Stop talking to him for ever
- Staying calm even when angry is right.
- Saying it calmly is right. Answer : (2).
You got low marks in the exam. What will you do? (1) Blame the teacher (2) Give up studying (3) Sit and cry (4) See where you went wrong and correct it
- Finding the mistake will make the next time better.
- Finding and correcting the mistake is right. Answer : (4).
You lost the game. What will you do? (1) Stop the game (2) Change the rules (3) Congratulate the winner and improve next time (4) Feel upset and walk away
- Winning and losing are part of a game.
- Congratulating and improving is right. Answer : (3).
If you feel angry first pause; a decision taken in anger goes wrong.
Hitting, throwing things or stopping talking in anger. This makes the problem bigger.
Memory clue : "Pause, breathe, say it in words."
Drop options like "hitting, throwing, stopping talking"; saying it calmly is the answer.
Spot the difference
| Wrong | Right |
|---|---|
| Hitting | Saying it in words |
| Blaming others | Finding your own mistake |
| Giving up | Trying again |
Practice questions
- 1Your brother broke your toy. What will you do? (1) Hit him (2) Break his toy (3) Tell mother a lie (4) Calmly tell him not to do that
- 2A friend asked for your pencil and you do not want to give it. What will you do? (1) Calmly say that you cannot give it now (2) Fight with him (3) Throw the pencil (4) Lie
- 3In the queue someone pushed you forward. What will you do? (1) Hit him (2) Push him back (3) Tell him calmly or inform the teacher (4) Leave the queue
- 4You feel the teacher scolded you unfairly. What will you do? (1) Shout in class (2) Talk to the teacher calmly later (3) Throw the book (4) Stop coming to school
- 5You came last in a running race. What will you do? (1) Ask to change the rules of the race (2) Sit and cry (3) Find the mistake in your practice and practise again (4) Give up running
- 6Someone spread a rumour about you. What will you do? (1) Spread a rumour too (2) Talk to the teacher or elders and tell the truth (3) Fight (4) Leave school
- 7You gave a wrong answer in class and everyone laughed. What will you do? (1) Walk away angrily (2) Hit those who laughed (3) Calmly learn the right answer (4) Never answer again
- 8Your friend got angry for no reason and used bad words to you. What will you do? (1) Use bad words too (2) Talk to him when he is calm (3) Take revenge (4) Tell everyone about him
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1(4) Calmly tell him not to do that.
- 2(1) Calmly say that you cannot give it now.
- 3(3) Tell him calmly or inform the teacher.
- 4(2) Talk to the teacher calmly later.
- 5(3) Find the mistake and practise again.
- 6(2) Talk to elders and tell the truth.
- 7(3) Calmly learn the right answer.
- 8(2) Talk to him when he is calm.
Rules, safety and responsibility
The signal when crossing the road, switching off the switch at home, cleaning the school : these small rules keep us and others safe. Following rules is our responsibility.
Responsibility means doing the work given to us on time and well. Safety means behaving so that neither we nor others are in danger, and following the rules.
Rules and safety
| Situation | Right decision |
|---|---|
| Red signal | Stop |
| Fire or smoke | Stay calm, tell elders, get out |
| Switch with wet hands | Dry your hands first |
| Public things | Use with care, keep clean |
Use the signal or the zebra crossing to cross the road; stop at a red signal.
- E.g. The road looks empty but the signal is red : wait till it turns green.
If you see fire, smoke or danger stay calm, tell elders and get out safely.
- E.g. A smell of burning at home : tell elders; the fire help number is 101.
Do the work given on time; keep things in their place.
- E.g. It is your turn to clean the class : do it on time.
Use public things such as the school, the garden and the bus with care.
- E.g. The tap in the garden was left running : close it.
The signal is red and the road looks empty. What will you do? (1) Run across (2) Wait till the signal turns green (3) Walk with your eyes closed (4) Push your friend
- The rule is for safety.
- Waiting for green is right. Answer : (2).
After school the fan in the class was left running. What will you do? (1) Leave it as it is (2) Increase the speed (3) Switch it off or tell the teacher (4) Do nothing
- If the fan is left on, electricity is wasted.
- Switching it off or telling is right. Answer : (3).
There is a smell of burning in the house. What will you do? (1) Hide (2) Go on sleeping (3) Go and check without telling anyone (4) Stay calm, tell the elders at home and get out safely
- Checking it yourself in danger is risky.
- Telling elders and getting out is right. Answer : (4).
Rules are for our safety; follow them even when no one is watching.
Thinking, "The road is empty, so it is fine." Obeying the signal is the safe way.
Memory clue : "Stop, stay calm, tell elders."
Drop the options "going into danger yourself" and "ignoring".
Spot the difference
| Wrong | Right |
|---|---|
| Going at a red signal | Stopping |
| Going into danger yourself | Telling elders |
| Wasting things | Using with care |
Practice questions
- 1The tap in the garden was left running and water is flowing. What will you do? (1) Ignore it (2) Open it more (3) Close it (4) Play in the water
- 2It is your turn to clean the class. What will you do? (1) Clean the class on time (2) Push it on a friend (3) Go home (4) Leave the rubbish as it is
- 3Everyone in the library is reading. What will you do? (1) Talk loudly (2) Keep quiet (3) Throw books (4) Run
- 4You want to press a switch with wet hands. What will you do? (1) Press it as it is (2) Dry your hands and use the switch (3) Ask a friend to press it (4) Pour more water
- 5An old woman is standing in the bus and you are sitting. What will you do? (1) Pretend to sleep (2) Look out of the window (3) Give her your seat (4) Keep talking to a friend
- 6There is a fixed place for parking cycles at school. What will you do? (1) Park anywhere (2) Park in the middle of the road (3) Lay it across someone else's cycle (4) Park it neatly in the fixed place
- 7A banana peel is lying on the road and people are walking. What will you do? (1) Ignore it (2) Pick it up and put it in the dustbin (3) Throw more peels (4) Laugh
- 8Everyone at home has been given chores and yours is to fill the water. What will you do? (1) Forget it (2) Make the younger brother do it (3) Finish the work on time (4) Ask mother to do it
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1(3) Close the tap.
- 2(1) Clean the class on time.
- 3(2) Keep quiet.
- 4(2) Dry your hands and use the switch.
- 5(3) Give her your seat.
- 6(4) Park it neatly in the fixed place.
- 7(2) Pick it up and put it in the dustbin.
- 8(3) Finish the work on time.
Mixed questions and exam tricks
In some situations honesty, help and self-control all come together. For example a friend tore your notebook and you are angry. Here you must think of anger, telling the truth and the help of elders.
In a mixed question see which of the four decisions is truthful, calm, safe for others and responsible. Drop the options that say hit, hide, run away or ignore.
Five principles of a right decision
| Principle | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Truth | Speak the truth |
| Kindness | Help |
| Self-control | Stay calm |
| Safety | Avoid danger |
| Responsibility | Do the work on time |
Apply each option to the five principles.
- E.g. "Telling a lie" goes against truth; drop it.
Drop the options hitting, hiding, running away, ignoring.
- E.g. "A fire broke out and I hid" : hiding is wrong.
Choose the decision that does good to everyone and hurts no one.
- E.g. Talking to the friend and clearing the misunderstanding : good for all.
If the problem is big take the help of elders (teacher, parents).
- E.g. Someone keeps troubling you : tell the teacher.
A friend accidentally tore your notebook and you felt angry. What will you do? (1) Tear his notebook (2) Hit him (3) Calm down and talk to him (4) Stop talking to him for ever
- Self-control is needed even when angry.
- Calming down and talking is right. Answer : (3).
A classmate keeps troubling you again and again. What will you do? (1) Hit him (2) Tell the teacher (3) Stop going to school (4) Trouble him too
- If the problem is big take the help of elders.
- Telling the teacher is right. Answer : (2).
While playing you accidentally broke a window glass and no one saw. What will you do? (1) Run away (2) Blame someone else (3) Tell the teacher the truth and say sorry (4) Hide the pieces of glass
- If you made a mistake tell the truth.
- Telling the truth and saying sorry is right. Answer : (3).
Truth, kindness, self-control, safety and responsibility : remember the five principles; the answer comes from them.
Choosing the option that looks easy. Even if it looks easy, lying, hitting or hiding is wrong.
Memory clue : "Truth, kindness, self-control, safety, responsibility."
First drop the two extreme options; choose from the remaining two by the five principles.
Spot the difference
| Wrong | Right |
|---|---|
| Hitting | Talking calmly |
| Hiding | Telling the truth |
| Running away | Calling elders |
Practice questions
- 1You bumped a friend's lunch box and the curry spilled. What will you do? (1) Run away (2) Say sorry and help him (3) Blame someone else (4) Laugh
- 2Someone in class spoke rudely to the teacher. What will you do? (1) Speak the same way (2) Laugh (3) Praise him (4) Calmly say that one should not speak like that
- 3You see a boy's school bag forgotten in the bus. What will you do? (1) Take it home (2) Throw it away (3) Give it to the conductor (4) Open and look inside
- 4A friend says, "I will tell you a secret; do not tell anyone." The secret is dangerous. What will you do? (1) Tell no one (2) Tell everyone (3) Tell a trusted elder (4) Laugh
- 5On the school trip a friend lagged behind the group. What will you do? (1) Go ahead (2) Tell the teacher and get help to find him (3) Go and look alone (4) Ignore it
- 6You have little time for the exam and have studied less. What will you do? (1) Copy (2) Skip the exam (3) Lie that you are ill (4) Write honestly what you know
- 7You see your close friend stealing someone's thing. What will you do? (1) Explain to the friend to return it and tell the teacher if needed (2) Keep quiet (3) Take something yourself (4) Break the friendship
- 8Your friend has difficulty in studies and has become disappointed. What will you do? (1) Taunt him (2) Leave him alone (3) Find time and explain to him (4) Tell the teacher that he is weak
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1(2) Say sorry and help him.
- 2(4) Calmly say that one should not speak like that.
- 3(3) Give it to the conductor.
- 4(3) Tell a trusted elder.
- 5(2) Tell the teacher and get help to find him.
- 6(4) Write honestly what you know.
- 7(1) Explain to the friend to return it and tell the teacher if needed.
- 8(3) Find time and explain to him.
Quick revision of the whole lesson
| Topic | Memory clue |
|---|---|
| Honesty | Tell the truth, give it back, write by yourself |
| Help and kindness | Help, stay safe, call elders |
| Anger and self-control | Pause, breathe, say it in words |
| Rules and safety | Stop, stay calm, tell elders |
| Mixed | Truth, kindness, self-control, safety, responsibility |
| Checking | Is this decision good for everyone? |
🎯 Most important points for the exam
- Always speak the truth; return what you find.
- Help someone in trouble; but in danger call elders rather than go yourself.
- If you feel angry pause; do not hit, say it in words.
- Follow rules and signals; in danger stay calm and tell elders.
- Drop options like hitting, hiding, running away and ignoring.
- Apply the options to the five principles : truth, kindness, self-control, safety and responsibility.
- If the problem is big take the help of a teacher or parents.
"Speak the truth, help, stay calm; in danger call elders."