What does the poem say about being 'useful and happy'?

Being both useful (working well) and happy (playing fully) together is 'the way' or the ideal way to live

What does 'do with all your might' mean?

Put complete effort and energy into everything you do

According to the poem what happens when you give full effort to one task?

The task is done right and well

What type of poem is 'One Thing at a Time'?

A moral/instructional poem giving life advice

How does the structure of the poem (alternating between work and play) reflect its message?

The poem alternates between references to work and play mirroring its message that both have their own time and deserve full attention separately

What would happen if a student followed the advice 'one thing at a time' in their studies?

They would focus better complete each task properly and achieve better results

How is the poem relevant to modern life where people often multitask?

The poem's advice to focus on one thing at a time is highly relevant today — research shows that multitasking often reduces quality of work suggesting the poem's wisdom is timeless

Why is play as important as work according to the poem?

The poem gives equal status to play — 'play while you play' — suggesting that fully enjoying recreation is as important as fully committing to work for a balanced life

How does the repeating ending 'work while you work and play while you play' reinforce the poem's message?

It is just a poetic technique with no meaning

The repetition emphasises and drives home the poem's core message that complete focus in each activity — whether work or play — is the key to doing both well and living happily

The repetition makes the poem longer

NCERT Solutions Class 4 English Chapter 4 – One Thing at a Time

Name: One Thing at a Time – Class 4 English
Uploaded: 2026-07-24T09:22:27+00:00
Description: This poem teaches us to do one thing at a time with full attention. When it’s time to work, work hard, and when it’s time to play, enjoy fully. Doing things properly and not wasting time helps us become happy and successful.

Class 4 English

Last Updated: 24 July 2026

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Chapter Introduction

This poem teaches us to do one thing at a time with full attention. When it’s time to work, work hard, and when it’s time to play, enjoy fully. Doing things properly and not wasting time helps us become happy and successful.

हिंदी में (Hindi)

यह कविता हमें एक समय में एक ही काम पूरे ध्यान से करने की शिक्षा देती है। जब काम करने का समय हो, तो मेहनत से काम करें, और जब खेलने का समय हो, तो पूरी तरह आनंद लें। काम को सही तरीके से करना और समय बर्बाद न करना हमें खुश और सफल बनाता है।

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Important Points

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Practice MCQ Questions (15 questions)

Q1. What is the central message of the poem 'One Thing at a Time'?

Q2. What does 'Work while you work Play while you play' mean?

Q3. What does 'things done by halves are never done right' mean?

Q4. According to the poem what is 'a very good rule'?

Q5. What is the meaning of 'moments should never be trifled away'?

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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NCERT Solutions Class 4 English Chapter 4 – One Thing at a Time

Chapter Introduction

Watch Video Lecture

Important Points

Practice MCQ Questions (15 questions)

Q1. What is the central message of the poem 'One Thing at a Time'?

Q2. What does 'Work while you work Play while you play' mean?

Q3. What does 'things done by halves are never done right' mean?

Q4. According to the poem what is 'a very good rule'?

Q5. What is the meaning of 'moments should never be trifled away'?

Q6. What does the poem say about being 'useful and happy'?

Q7. How many times is 'work while you work play while you play' repeated in the poem?

Q8. What does 'do with all your might' mean?

Q9. According to the poem what happens when you give full effort to one task?

Q10. What type of poem is 'One Thing at a Time'?

Q11. How does the structure of the poem (alternating between work and play) reflect its message?

Q12. What would happen if a student followed the advice 'one thing at a time' in their studies?

Q13. How is the poem relevant to modern life where people often multitask?

Q14. Why is play as important as work according to the poem?

Q15. How does the repeating ending 'work while you work and play while you play' reinforce the poem's message?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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