8.4 Words and Phrases

Vocabulary

Word Meaning Example sentence
gather to collect Gopi was sent to gather wild beans.
fetch to go and bring something She was told to fetch some rice.
grin to smile broadly Gopi grinned and ran inside.
muffler a scarf worn for warmth She painted a muffler for the farmer.
plough a tool for turning over soil A plough appeared for the other man.
stream (verb) to move in a continuous flow The villagers streamed into the house.
fortress a large, strong fort The Zamindar wanted a fortress.
comply to obey a command Gopi would not comply with his order.
seize to take by force He told his men to seize the brush.
pen a small enclosure for locking up She was thrown into a pen (cell).
bellow to roar loudly in anger The Zamindar bellowed at his men.
mighty very powerful or strong She painted a mighty river.

Phrases and expressions

Expression What it means
magic brush of dreams the brush that makes wishes (drawings) come true
far and wide over a large area; everywhere
stamps his foot shows anger
song of victory a song celebrating a win

Exam Tip Some words here describe the Zamindar’s anger — bellow, roar, thunder, stamp his foot. Grouping such “feeling” verbs helps you both answer vocabulary questions and write more vivid stories of your own.

Use what you’ve learnt

Fill each blank: gather, comply, seize, mighty, fortress.

  1. Gopi was sent to ___ beans and rice.
  2. The Zamindar ordered her to paint a grand ___.
  3. She refused to ___ with his greedy demand.
  4. He told his men to ___ the magic brush.
  5. To stop them, she painted a ___ river.
  1. gather   2. fortress   3. comply   4. seize   5. mighty