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The Frog

NCERT Class 5 · English Based on NCERT Class 5 English textbook · Free CBSE study kit

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Chapter Notes

Overview
This chapter is a poem about a frog's life, describing where it lives, how it moves, catches food, hides from enemies, and communicates. It is part of the Class 5 English syllabus to develop reading comprehension, vocabulary, and creative expression. The one big idea a student must walk away with is that frogs are amphibians that live both in water and on land, and they have special adaptations like webbed feet, a flicking tongue, and camouflage to survive.
Key Concepts (12)
tadpole
A tiny, fish-like creature that is the young form of a frog before it grows legs and becomes an adult.
e.g. When a frog lays eggs in a pond, tiny tadpoles hatch and swim around with a tail, just like small fish.
hop
To move by jumping on one leg or both legs together, as frogs do on land.
e.g. The frog can hop from one lily pad to another in the pond.
muddy
Covered with or full of mud; soft, wet earth.
e.g. After the rain, the ground becomes muddy, and frogs love to sit in the muddy drain.
flick
To move something quickly and lightly, like a frog's tongue when catching food.
e.g. The frog flicks its tongue so fast that the fly is caught before it can escape.
damp
Slightly wet; moist.
e.g. Frogs like to live in damp places, such as under wet leaves or near a pond with drops of dew.
dew
Tiny drops of water that form on grass, leaves, and plants during the night or early morning.
e.g. In the morning, you can see dew on the grass in the garden.
beware
To be careful and watch out for danger or something harmful.
e.g. The frog must beware of snakes, or else they will catch it.
croak
The deep, harsh sound that a frog makes.
e.g. At night, you can hear frogs croak loudly near the pond.
webbed
Having skin between the toes, like a frog's foot, which helps in swimming.
e.g. Frogs have webbed feet that help them push through water easily, just like flippers help a swimmer.
amphibian
An animal that can live both in water and on land.
e.g. A frog is an amphibian because it starts life as a tadpole in water and later lives on land too.
camouflage
The ability of an animal to hide by matching its colour with its surroundings.
e.g. The frog's colours match the plants and trees, so it can hide well in grass and leaves.
tongue twister
A phrase or sentence that is difficult to say quickly and correctly because of similar sounds.
e.g. 'Four fierce frogs fight for flies' is a tongue twister that helps practice pronunciation.
How It Works
How a frog catches its food
  1. The frog spots an insect, like a fly or mosquito, nearby.
  2. It flicks its tongue out very quickly toward the insect.
  3. The tongue sticks to the insect and pulls it back into the frog's mouth.
  4. The frog swallows the food whole.
💡 Students often think frogs chew their food, but they actually swallow it whole using their sticky tongue.
How a frog moves in water and on land
  1. In water: The frog uses its webbed feet to push against the water and swim with ease.
  2. On land: The frog uses its strong back legs to hop or jump high into the air.
  3. It can also leap from one place to another in a joyful breeze.
💡 Students confuse hopping with walking. Frogs do not walk; they hop on land using both hind legs together.
How a frog hides from predators
  1. The frog's skin colour matches the plants, trees, grass, and leaves around it.
  2. It stays still or sits in damp, muddy places where it blends in.
  3. It remains quiet and alert, especially when snakes are near.
  4. If danger comes, it hops away quickly or jumps into water.
💡 Students think frogs hide only by jumping away. The poem clearly says their colours help them hide — camouflage is the main method.
Life cycle of a frog (from the poem)
  1. The frog starts as a tadpole, a tiny fish-like creature that swims cheerfully in water.
  2. The tadpole grows legs and loses its tail over time.
  3. It becomes an adult frog that can live on land and in water.
  4. The adult frog croaks, hops, and catches insects.
💡 Students often forget the tadpole stage. The poem clearly states 'As a tadpole, I swim with cheer' — this is the first stage.
Exam Traps — Don't Make These Mistakes
⚠ Confusing 'frog' with 'toad'
✗ Frogs and toads are the same animal.
→ The 'Did You Know?' section clearly states frogs have smooth, moist skin and long legs for hopping, while toads have dry, rough, bumpy skin and shorter legs for walking or hopping.
✓ Frogs have smooth, moist skin and long legs for hopping, whereas toads have dry, rough, bumpy skin and shorter legs for walking or hopping.
⚠ Thinking frogs only live in water
✗ Frogs live only in water.
→ The poem says 'I live on land and water too' — frogs are amphibians that can live in both environments.
✓ Frogs are amphibians that live both in water (ponds, muddy drains) and on land (damp places, grass, leaves).
⚠ Mistaking how frogs catch food
✗ Frogs catch food with their hands or mouth.
→ The poem says 'I flick my tongue to catch my food' — frogs use their long, sticky tongue, not their hands.
✓ Frogs catch food by flicking their sticky tongue out quickly to trap insects.
⚠ Confusing 'webbed feet' with 'flippers'
✗ Webbed feet and flippers are exactly the same.
→ The 'Think and Discuss' question asks how they are similar, not identical. Webbed feet are natural skin between toes; flippers are artificial equipment used by scuba divers.
✓ Webbed feet and flippers are similar because both help in swimming by providing a larger surface area to push against water.
⚠ Misunderstanding 'camouflage'
✗ Frogs hide by jumping into water.
→ The poem says 'My colours match the plants and trees, I hide so well in grass and leaves!' — hiding is primarily by colour matching, not just by moving.
✓ Frogs use camouflage — their skin colour matches their surroundings like plants, trees, and grass — to hide from predators.
Compare & Contrast
Skin and legs
Frog
Toad
Frogs have smooth, moist skin and long legs for hopping; toads have dry, rough, bumpy skin and shorter legs for walking or hopping.
Habitat and movement
Frog
Fish
A frog is an amphibian that lives both in water and on land, and moves by hopping or swimming with webbed feet. A fish lives only in water and swims using fins and a tail.
Function in swimming
Webbed feet of a frog
Flippers used by scuba divers
Both are similar because they provide a larger surface area to push against water, helping the frog or diver swim faster and with less effort.
Exam Focus
Marks pattern: 2-3 MCQs (1 mark each), 1-2 Very Short Answer Questions (1-2 marks), 1 Short Answer Question (3 marks), 1 Long Answer Question (5 marks) — total approximately 10-12 marks.
Most asked: Frog's habitat (ponds, rain, muddy drains, damp places) · How a frog catches food (flicking tongue) · How a frog moves (hopping on land, swimming with webbed feet) · Camouflage (colours matching plants and trees) · Life cycle (tadpole to frog) · Difference between frog and toad
Don't skip: Describe the frog's life cycle from tadpole to adult frog.; Explain how a frog's body helps it survive both in water and on land.; Compare and contrast a frog and a toad.; How does a frog catch its food and hide from enemies?
One-Line Revision (read aloud before the exam)
  1. A frog is an amphibian that lives both in water and on land.
  2. A frog starts life as a tadpole, a tiny fish-like creature that swims in water.
  3. Frogs catch food by flicking their sticky tongue very quickly.
  4. Frogs have webbed feet that help them swim with ease.
  5. Frogs hop on land using their strong hind legs.
  6. Frogs use camouflage — their colours match plants and trees — to hide from snakes and other predators.
  7. Frogs croak loudly to communicate, especially near ponds.
  8. Frogs like to sit in ponds, rain, muddy drains, and damp places with dew.
  9. Frogs have smooth, moist skin and long legs for hopping.
  10. Toads have dry, rough, bumpy skin and shorter legs for walking or hopping.
  11. The Ganges river dolphin is India's national aquatic animal and uses sound to find its way in water.
  12. A tongue twister is a phrase that is hard to say quickly, like 'Four fierce frogs fight for flies.'
  13. Webbed feet of frogs are similar to flippers used by scuba divers because both help in swimming.
  14. Frogs must beware of snakes, or else they will be caught unaware.

MCQs — 10 Questions with Answers

Q1. Where does the frog sit or spend time according to the poem?

  • A. In ponds, rain, muddy drains, and damp places ✓
  • B. Only in deep oceans
  • C. Only on dry, hot ground
  • D. Only in trees high in the sky

Answer: A — The poem clearly states the frog sits in ponds, in the rain, in muddy drains, and in damp places with water.

Q2. What does the frog use to catch its food?

  • A. Its teeth
  • B. Its tongue ✓
  • C. Its webbed feet
  • D. Its tail

Answer: B — The poem says the frog flicks its tongue to catch food, and it works very fast.

Q3. What helps a frog hide in the grass and leaves?

  • A. Its loud voice
  • B. Its speed in jumping
  • C. Its colours that match plants and trees ✓
  • D. Its small size

Answer: C — The poem states that the frog's colours match the plants and trees, which helps it hide so well in grass and leaves.

Q4. Complete the sentence: A tadpole is a tiny _____________ thing that swims with cheer.

  • A. bird-like
  • B. fish-like ✓
  • C. snake-like
  • D. insect-like

Answer: B — The poem describes a tadpole as a tiny fish-like thing, showing that a baby frog looks similar to a fish.

Q5. What do webbed feet help the frog do?

  • A. Climb trees faster
  • B. Swim with ease ✓
  • C. Run on the ground
  • D. Dig holes in mud

Answer: B — The poem states that with webbed feet, the frog swims with ease in water.

Q6. Why must the frog beware of snakes?

  • A. Snakes are friendly to frogs
  • B. Snakes help frogs hide
  • C. Snakes might catch and eat the frog ✓
  • D. Snakes teach frogs to croak

Answer: C — The poem warns that snakes are near and if the frog is not careful, snakes will catch it.

Q7. What sound does the frog make in the poem?

  • A. Chirp
  • B. Buzz
  • C. Croak ✓
  • D. Whistle

Answer: C — The poem says the frog croaks its songs, and they sound very loud in the pond.

Q8. The frog can live on _____________ and _____________.

  • A. water and sky
  • B. land and water ✓
  • C. trees and flowers
  • D. rocks and sand

Answer: B — The poem clearly states that the frog lives on land and water too, making it an amphibian.

Q9. How is the frog's life different from a fish's life?

  • A. Frogs live only in water like fish
  • B. Frogs live both in water and on land; fish live only in water ✓
  • C. Fish can hop; frogs cannot
  • D. Frogs and fish live exactly the same way

Answer: B — While the poem does not directly state this, it shows frogs hop on land and swim in water, unlike fish which only live in water.

Q10. What does the word 'damp' mean?

  • A. Very hot and dry
  • B. Cold and frozen
  • C. Slightly wet or moist ✓
  • D. Hard and solid

Answer: C — Damp means slightly wet or moist, which is the kind of place a frog likes to live because it helps keep its skin moist.

Flashcards

Where do frogs like to spend time?

Frogs sit in ponds, rain, muddy drains, and damp places where water and plants are found.

What is a tadpole?

A tadpole is a baby frog that looks like a tiny fish and swims in water.

How does a frog catch its food?

A frog flicks its tongue very fast to catch insects like mosquitoes and flies.

What do webbed feet help a frog do?

Webbed feet with skin between toes help a frog swim easily in water.

How does a frog hide from danger?

A frog's colours match the plants and trees around it, so it blends in and stays safe.

What sound does a frog make?

A frog croaks loudly, which is the sound it makes in its pond.

Name one enemy of frogs mentioned in the poem.

Snakes are enemies of frogs and may catch them if they are not careful.

Can a frog move on land and in water?

Yes, a frog hops and jumps on land using its strong back legs and swims in water using its webbed feet.

What does 'beware' mean?

Beware means to be careful and watch out for danger.

What is the difference between a frog and a toad?

Frogs have smooth, moist skin and long legs for hopping, while toads have rough, bumpy skin and shorter legs.

Important Board Questions

Where do frogs like to sit? (1 mark — VSA) [1 mark]

Look at the first two lines of the poem. Write the places mentioned.

How does a frog catch its food? Explain in 2-3 sentences. (2 marks — SA) [2 marks]

What body part does the frog use? What does it do with that part? How fast does it work?

Explain how a frog's colours help it stay safe. Give an example from daily life. (3 marks — SA) [3 marks]

What is this hiding skill called? How does it work? Think of a frog hiding in grass near your home or school.

Describe the frog's life in water and on land. How do its body parts help it in both places? (5 marks — LA) [5 marks]

Talk about tadpoles and adult frogs. Mention webbed feet, legs for hopping, tongue, and how it moves in both places. You may draw and label a frog's body parts.

True or False with reason: A frog is exactly like a fish. (2 marks — T/F) [2 marks]

Think about where they live and how they breathe. Is a frog an amphibian or does it live only in water?

Assertion-Reason Questions for The Frog

Q1. Assertion (A):

Frogs are animals that can live both in water and on land.

Reason (R):

Frogs have webbed feet which help them swim easily in water.

Answer: B — Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A — Both statements are true - frogs do live in water and on land, and webbed feet do help them swim. However, webbed feet are just one reason they can do this; they also have strong hind legs for hopping on land. So the reason does not fully explain the assertion.

Q2. Assertion (A):

The frog's colours help it survive in its environment.

Reason (R):

The frog's colours match the plants and trees, which helps it hide from snakes and other dangers.

Answer: A — Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A — Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason correctly explains why the frog's colours help it survive - camouflage helps it hide from predators like snakes.

Q3. Assertion (A):

Tadpoles are small frogs with legs.

Reason (R):

Tadpoles are tiny fish-like creatures that swim in water before becoming adult frogs.

Answer: D — A is false but R is true — The assertion is false because tadpoles are not small frogs with legs - they start as fish-like creatures without legs. The reason is true according to the poem. Tadpoles develop into frogs gradually, not the other way around.

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Case-Based Questions (CBQ) for The Frog

Case Study:

Ravi lives near a pond in his village. During the monsoon season, the pond becomes full of water and mud. Ravi loves to visit the pond after rain to watch frogs. He sees them hopping near the muddy edges, jumping into the water, and hiding in plants. He hears their loud croaking sounds at night. Ravi wonders how frogs survive and move so well in both water and muddy areas.

Q1. Why does Ravi find more frogs in the pond during monsoon season?

  • A. Because there is more water, damp mud, and food available for frogs ✓
  • B. Because frogs migrate to ponds during monsoon
  • C. Because frogs hide during dry season
  • D. Because it is warmer during monsoon

Answer: A

Q2. What movements can Ravi observe the frogs making in and around the pond?

  • A. Only swimming slowly
  • B. Only hopping on mud
  • C. Hopping, jumping, and swimming with ease ✓
  • D. Only crawling on the ground

Answer: C

Q3. What does the loud croaking sound suggest about the frogs?

  • A. The frogs are afraid and in danger
  • B. The frogs feel happy and proud in their pond home, as mentioned in the poem ✓
  • C. The frogs are calling for help
  • D. The frogs are hungry and looking for food

Answer: B

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