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NCERT Solutions for Class 4 English Chapter 9 Hekko (PDF) – 2027

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NCERT Solutions for Class 4 English Chapter 9 Hekko – step-by-step answers to every exercise and in-text question of the chapter, as per the latest NCERT syllabus for 2027. Read them online or download the free question-answer PDF.

Chapter 9 of Santoor closes Unit 3, Fun with Games. Hekko is not a story but a short piece of information about a real game played by the people of the Mokokchung district of Nagaland. The word comes from two Naga words — hek (to challenge) and ko (tiger) — so Hekko means “Challenging the tiger.” A folk story of Nagaland about Aami (The Man) and Aakho (The Tiger) gave the game its name. The exercises take you from the game into homophones, sound-alike words, animal sounds, the past simple with -ed, five traditional Indian games and a game of your own.

NCERT Solutions for Class 4 English Chapter 9 Hekko PDF

All the answers are on this page below. The PDF also explains every answer – why it is right and how to check it – so download it for revision.

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Summary and word meanings

Hekko (a game from Nagaland)

Summary

  • The word ‘Hekko’ means ‘challenging the tiger’ in Nagaland.
  • Long ago, humans and the tiger argued about who was better.
  • Today, people of Mokokchung in Nagaland play Hekko as a team game.
  • Two teams, Aami (Man) and Aakho (Tiger), have 11 players each.
  • Aami players hold hands inside a circle; Aakho players push them out.
  • A caught Aakho player says “Joko”; the team with most points wins.
सारांश (हिन्दी में)
  • नागालैंड में ‘हेक्को’ का अर्थ है ‘बाघ को चुनौती देना’।
  • बहुत पहले मनुष्यों और बाघ में झगड़ा हुआ कि कौन बड़ा है।
  • आज मोकोकचुंग के लोग इसे दो टीमों का खेल बनाकर खेलते हैं, हर टीम में 11 खिलाड़ी।
  • आमी टीम घेरे के अंदर हाथ पकड़कर रहती है, आखो टीम उन्हें बाहर धकेलती है; सबसे अधिक अंक वाली टीम जीतती है।
Word meanings
WordMeaningहिंदी अर्थIn the text
Hekkoa game from Nagaland; the word means “challenging the tiger”हेक्को, ‘बाघ को चुनौती देना’“the word ‘Hekko’ means ‘Challenging the tiger’”
challengeto invite someone to fight or compete with youचुनौती देना, ललकारना“The humans challenged Aakho”
thereforeso; for this reasonइसलिए“Therefore, the word Hekko means”
folk storyan old story that people tell again and againलोक कथा“There is a folk story in Nagaland”
disagreementwhen people do not agree with each otherअसहमति, मतभेद“They had a disagreement”
superioritybeing better or stronger than othersश्रेष्ठता, बड़ाई“a disagreement about their superiority”
districta part of a stateज़िला“the Mokokchung district of Nagaland”
well-knownknown by many peopleप्रसिद्ध, मशहूर“a well-known sport today”
presentlynow; at this timeआजकल, इस समय“Presently, it is played as a team game”
identifiedfound out and pickedपहचाने जाते हैं“The strongest people in the village are identified”
tossthrowing a coin up to decide something before a gameटॉस, सिक्का उछालना“The toss before the game decides”
human chaina line or ring of people holding handsहाथ पकड़कर बनी लोगों की कड़ी“by making a human chain”
surroundingmaking a ring all around someoneचारों ओर से घेरना“by surrounding them”
releasedset free; let goछोड़ा जाना, मुक्त करना“he is not released”
surrenderto give up and accept you have lostहार मान लेना, आत्मसमर्पण“he says ‘Joko’ (surrender)”
opposite teamthe other team you play againstविरोधी टीम“a player of the opposite team”
gainsgets; winsपाती है, जीतती है“it gains points”
maximumthe most; the biggest numberसबसे अधिक“The team with the maximum points”
awardedgiven as a prizeइनाम में दिया जाता है“is awarded the title”
titlea special name given for being the bestउपाधि, खिताब“the title of ‘Khozuba’”
declaredsaid loudly for everyone to hearघोषणा की“Aakho declared that the tigers had the first right”

NCERT Solutions for Class 4 English Chapter 9 Hekko – Questions and Answers

All 40 questions of the chapter (textbook pages 89 – 101) are answered below, in the order of the book – in-text questions, activities and the end-of-chapter exercises. Each answer is written the way you would write it in the exam.

Let us Read — Pages 89–92Hekko

Let us Read
ReadLet us Read — Hekko. Read the passage and find out what the word “Hekko” means and how the game is played.
Answer

‘Hekko’ means “Challenging the tiger.” It is a game of the Mokokchung district of Nagaland. Two teams of 11 players play it: Aami (The Man) and Aakho (The Tiger). The Aami team stays inside a circle in a human chain. Aakho players come in and try to push them out.

New Words — Page 92declared · superiority · disagreement · surrender

New Words
NWNew Words: declared, superiority, disagreement, surrender. Find out what each new word means.
Answer
WordMeaning
declaredsaid something out loud, for all to hear
superioritybeing better or greater than others
disagreementnot agreeing with one another
surrenderto give up and accept that you have lost

Let us Think — Page 93A. Answer the following.

Let us Think
A.1What does the word ‘Hekko’ mean?
Answer

The word ‘Hekko’ means “Challenging the tiger.” ‘Hek’ means to challenge and ‘ko’ means tiger.

A.2What are the two teams in the game called?
Answer

The two teams are called Aami (The Man) and Aakho (The Tiger).

A.3How many players are there in each team?
Answer

There are 11 players in each team. So 11 + 11 = 22 players take part in all.

A.4What do the players in the Aami team do inside the circle?
Answer

The Aami players stay inside the circle by making a human chain. They try not to be pushed out, and they try to catch the Aakho players by surrounding them.

A.5Why do you think the Aakho team (Tiger) must say “Joko” when they are caught?
Answer

I think the Aakho player must say “Joko” because it means surrender. It shows everyone that he has given up. Then the Aami team lets him go, and the next Aakho player can come in.

Let us Think — Page 93B. Think and discuss.

Think and discuss
B.1If you were playing the game Hekko, would you prefer to be in the Aami or Aakho team? Why?
Answer

I would like to be in the Aami team. I like holding hands with my friends and working together. If we all hold the chain tightly, no one can push us out.

B.2If you could add a new rule to the game, what would it be? What would be the benefit of the new rule?
Answer

My new rule: no player may pull another player’s clothes or hair. Benefit: Nobody gets hurt and no clothes get torn, so even small children can play Hekko safely.

Let us Learn — Pages 94–95A. Choose the correct option to complete the sentence.

Let us Learn
A.1A. Choose the correct option to complete the sentence.
1. their/there
◆ ……………… (their/there) is a beautiful park in my neighbourhood.
◆ They completed ……………… (there/their) work very fast.
Answer
  • There is a beautiful park in my neighbourhood.
  • They completed their work very fast.

there = a place / “There is”; their = belonging to them (whose work? their work).

A.2A. Choose the correct option to complete the sentence.
2. two/too
◆ ……………… of my friends participated in the poster-making competition.
◆ I was ……………… tired after playing.
Answer
  • Two of my friends participated in the poster-making competition.
  • I was too tired after playing.

two = the number 2; too = very much / more than enough (or also).

A.3A. Choose the correct option to complete the sentence.
3. through/threw
◆ The bowler ……………… the ball towards the batsman.
◆ I can see the clouds ……………… my window pane.
Answer
  • The bowler threw the ball towards the batsman.
  • I can see the clouds through my window pane.

threw = past of throw; through = from one side to the other.

A.4A. Choose the correct option to complete the sentence.
4. caught/cot
◆ My mother ……………… me eating an ice-cream at night.
◆ I sleep on a ……………… when I am at my grandmother’s village.
Answer
  • My mother caught me eating an ice-cream at night.
  • I sleep on a cot when I am at my grandmother’s village.

caught = past of catch (found me doing it); cot = a small bed.

A.5A. Choose the correct option to complete the sentence.
5. right/write
◆ While crossing the road, look to your ………………, then left, then right again and then cross the road.
◆ ……………… in a neat and legible handwriting.
Answer
  • While crossing the road, look to your right, then left, then right again and then cross the road.
  • Write in a neat and legible handwriting.

right = the side opposite to left; write = to put words on paper.

Let us Learn — Page 95B. Look at the pictures and write their names. One has been done for you.

Let us Learn
B.1B. Look at the pictures and write their names. One has been done for you.
Box st — (Stairs is already written for you.)
The six pictures printed on page 95 GLUE
The six pictures printed on page 95. The picture of the stairs has already been named for you in the book.
Answer

st: Stairs (given), Star

Both names begin with st.

B.2B. Look at the pictures and write their names. One has been done for you.
Box ch
The six pictures printed on page 95 GLUE
The six pictures printed on page 95. The picture of the stairs has already been named for you in the book.
Answer

ch: Chair, Charger

Both names begin with ch.

B.3B. Look at the pictures and write their names. One has been done for you.
Box gl
The six pictures printed on page 95 GLUE
The six pictures printed on page 95. The picture of the stairs has already been named for you in the book.
Answer

gl: Glass, Glue

Both names begin with gl.

Let us Learn — Page 96C. Match the animals with their sound.

Let us Learn
CC. Match the animals with their sound.
III
1. Tigercoos
2. Horsetrumpets
3. Elephantroars
4. Doveneighs
5. Goatwhoops
6. Monkeybleats
The two columns as the book prints them on page 96. They are not in matching order.
Answer
Animal (I)Its sound (II)
1. Tigerroars
2. Horseneighs
3. Elephanttrumpets
4. Dovecoos
5. Goatbleats
6. Monkeywhoops

Let us Learn — Page 96D. Read the following sentences. Notice the underlined words.

Let us Learn
DD. Read the following sentences. Notice the underlined words.
Once upon a time, humans and animals lived together. Aakho declared that the tigers had the first right on all the things. The humans challenged Aakho.
Answer

The underlined words are: Once upon a time, lived, declared, challenged. They tell us that the events happened some time ago, in the past.

lived, declared and challenged are verbs in the past simple tense, made by adding -ed.

Let us Learn — Page 97E. Fill in the blanks using -ed.

Let us Learn
E.1E. Fill in the blanks using -ed.
Last week, we ……………………. (visit) the park for a while.
Answer

Last week, we visited the park for a while.

visit + ed = visited

E.2E. Fill in the blanks using -ed.
My mother ……………………. (point) at the children playing kabbadi.
Answer

My mother pointed at the children playing kabbadi.

point + ed = pointed

E.3E. Fill in the blanks using -ed.
On our way home, my sister ……………………. (jump) in a puddle and muddied everyone’s clothes.
Answer

On our way home, my sister jumped in a puddle and muddied everyone’s clothes.

jump + ed = jumped

E.4E. Fill in the blanks using -ed.
I ……………………. (enjoy) my visit to the park.
Answer

I enjoyed my visit to the park.

enjoy + ed = enjoyed

E.5E. Fill in the blanks using -ed.
My sister ……………………. (want) to go to the pond but I ……………………. (decide) to stay and watch the game of kabbadi. (first blank)
Answer

My sister wanted to go to the pond…

want + ed = wanted

E.6E. Fill in the blanks using -ed.
My sister ……………………. (want) to go to the pond but I ……………………. (decide) to stay and watch the game of kabbadi. (second blank)
Answer

…but I decided to stay and watch the game of kabbadi.

decide + d = decided (it already ends in e, so add only d)

E.7E. Fill in the blanks using -ed.
I ……………………. (watch) the game for a while and then ……………………. (join) my mother and sister. (first blank)
Answer

I watched the game for a while…

watch + ed = watched

E.8E. Fill in the blanks using -ed.
I ……………………. (watch) the game for a while and then ……………………. (join) my mother and sister. (second blank)
Answer

…and then joined my mother and sister.

join + ed = joined

E.9E. Fill in the blanks using -ed.
I ……………………. (spot) a goldfish and my sister ……………………. (notice) two tadpoles in the pond. (first blank)
Answer

I spotted a goldfish…

spot + t + ed = spotted (the t is doubled)

E.10E. Fill in the blanks using -ed.
I ……………………. (spot) a goldfish and my sister ……………………. (notice) two tadpoles in the pond. (second blank)
Answer

…and my sister noticed two tadpoles in the pond.

notice + d = noticed (it already ends in e)

Let us Listen — Pages 98–99Listen to the description of some traditional games of India. Identify each game and write its name in the space given below.

Let us Listen
L.11. In this game, we stack seven stones on top of each other. The first team throws a ball to knock them down. After the stones are knocked down, the members of the first team hurriedly rearrange the stack while the opponent team catches the ball to quickly hit the members of the first team before the stones are restacked. If you are hit by the ball, you are out. Can you guess the name of the game?
Answer

The game is Lagori (also called Seven Stones or Pittu).

Clue: seven stones are stacked and knocked down with a ball.

L.22. In this game, there are two teams. One player from the first team crosses into the second team’s side while chanting the name of the game continuously without taking a breath! The goal is to tag as many players as possible and return to their side before being caught. If the player is caught, the other team scores. Can you guess the name of this game?
Answer

The game is Kabaddi.

Clue: the player keeps chanting “kabaddi, kabaddi” in one breath while he tags players.

L.33. This game is played with two wooden sticks—a short one and a longer one. The goal is to hit the shorter stick and make it jump in the air, then strike it again to send it flying. Players measure how far the shorter stick travels to score points.
Answer

The game is Gilli-danda.

Clue: a short stick (gilli) and a long stick (danda); the gilli is hit into the air and its distance is measured.

L.44. In this game, two children form an arch with their arms while others walk under it, singing a song. When the song ends, the arch drops, and the player caught joins in. It’s a fun and rhythmic game played in many parts of India.
Answer

The game is Poshampa.

Clue: two children make an arch with their arms; the others walk under it singing, and the arch drops when the song ends.

L.55. In this game, children use a small round shaped glass object, aiming to knock out other glass round objects placed in a circle. Players flick the glass object with their fingers, trying to hit the target objects and win them. This is a popular outdoor game played in many parts of India.
Answer

The game is Marbles (also called kanche or goli).

Clue: small round glass balls are flicked with the fingers to knock other marbles out of a circle.

Let us Speak — Page 100A. Look at the pictures and identify the games being played.

Let us Speak
S.1A. Look at the pictures and identify the games being played.
Name the game shown in each of the four pictures.
The four pictures printed on page 100 1.2. 3.4.
The four pictures printed on page 100 of your book.
Answer
PictureWhat it showsThe game
1Two children swing a rope; a girl jumps over it.Skipping
2A boy runs, pushing a tyre with a stick.Tyre rolling
3A child holds the string of a kite in the sky.Kite flying
4A boy holds a red top; a girl holds its string.Spinning top (lattu)
S.2A. Look at the pictures and identify the games being played.
• Have you played any of these games before?
The four pictures printed on page 100 1.2. 3.4.
The four pictures printed on page 100 of your book.
Answer

Yes, I have played two of these games. I skip with my friends in the school ground. Last Makar Sankranti I flew a kite with my brother from our terrace.

S.3A. Look at the pictures and identify the games being played.
• Discuss with your partner about the games you recognise.
The four pictures printed on page 100 1.2. 3.4.
The four pictures printed on page 100 of your book.
Answer

Sample conversation:
You: Picture 1 is skipping. We need a long rope.
Partner: Two children swing the rope and one jumps. If your foot touches the rope, you are out.
You: Picture 4 is a spinning top. You wind the string round it and throw it.
Partner: The top that spins the longest wins!

S.4A. Look at the pictures and identify the games being played.
• Which one is your favourite? Why do you enjoy playing it?
The four pictures printed on page 100 1.2. 3.4.
The four pictures printed on page 100 of your book.
Answer

My favourite game is skipping. I enjoy it because I can play it with my friends and also alone. It makes me jump, and I feel fresh and happy afterwards.

Let us Write — Page 101A. Write about a new game that you would like to play.

Let us Write
W.1A. You read how the people of Nagaland made the game of Hekko. Use the space given below to write about a new game that you would like to play.
Game: …….. Time: …….. Number of players: …….. Material needed: …….. Rules: …….. Foul: ……..
Game: 
Time: 
Number of players: 
Material needed: 
Rules:(five lines)
Foul:(four lines)
The blank form printed on page 101, which you have to fill in.
Answer
Game:Stone Guard
Time:10 minutes
Number of players:8 (4 in each team)
Material needed:chalk, one soft ball, four small stones
Rules:1. Draw a big circle. Put four stones in the middle.
2. Team A stands inside the circle and guards the stones.
3. Team B stands outside and rolls the ball to knock a stone over.
4. Team B gets one point for each stone knocked over.
5. After five minutes the teams change places. The team with more points wins.
Foul:1. Throwing the ball instead of rolling it.
2. Team B stepping inside the circle.
3. Pushing or pulling a player.
A player who fouls sits out for one minute.

Let us Explore — Page 101Nagaland is a land of festivals.

Let us Explore
X.1Nagaland is a land of festivals. Hornbill is one of the festivals to promote the culture of the state. Find out more about it.
Answer

The Hornbill Festival is held every year in Nagaland in the first ten days of December. It takes place at the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, near Kohima. All the tribes of Nagaland come together to show their dances, songs, food, dresses, crafts and games. It is called the “Festival of Festivals”.

Chapter 9 of 12 – English

Also for This Chapter

NCERT Solutions Class 4 English Chapter 9 Hekko – Overview

ClassClass 4
SubjectEnglish
Chapter9 – Hekko
Textbook pages89 – 101
Questions solved40
Session2027
FormatFull answers on this page + PDF

NCERT Solutions Class 4 English Chapter 9 – FAQs

Where can I download NCERT Solutions Class 4 English Chapter 9 Hekko PDF?

Read every answer on this page, or download the free PDF from the table at the top.

Is this for the 2027 session?

Yes, it follows the latest NCERT Class 4 English book for 2027.

How many questions are solved in NCERT Class 4 English Chapter 9?

All 40 questions of the chapter (textbook pages 89 – 101) – the in-text questions, activities and the end-of-chapter exercises.

How should I use these solutions?

Read the chapter in the NCERT book first, attempt the questions yourself, then check your answers here.

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