Which of the following best describes the poem's main idea?

A rainbow is more beautiful than any bridge or sailing vessel

Why does the poet say the rainbow is 'prettier far than these' (bridges and boats)?

While man-made bridges cross rivers and boats sail seas, the rainbow stretches from earth to sky—far more grand and beautiful than anything man has built

What literary device is used when the poet says clouds 'sail across the sky'?

Personification/Metaphor — clouds are compared to sailing vessels

What does the metaphor 'builds a road from earth to sky' suggest about the rainbow?

The rainbow creates an imaginary path connecting the Earth to the heavens, symbolising something grand and inspiring

The rainbow is made of light only

What is the poet's attitude towards the rainbow?

Deeply appreciative and in awe—she sees it as more beautiful than all human constructions

The poem compares man-made things to natural things. What is the conclusion?

Natural wonders like the rainbow surpass the most beautiful man-made structures in beauty and grandeur

The phrase 'as pretty as you please' means:

Extremely pretty, satisfying to look at

Please look at the pretty bridge

What does the poem teach children about nature?

Nature creates wonders that are more beautiful than anything humans can build

The poem mentions both rivers AND seas. What does this show?

The poem acknowledges different types of waterways to emphasise the rainbow bridges ALL of them—from earth to the entire sky

Which words in the poem create a sense of grandeur about the rainbow?

'overtops the trees' and 'builds a road from earth to sky'

NCERT Solutions Class 5 English Chapter 3 – The Rainbow

Name: The Rainbow – Class 5 English
Uploaded: 2026-07-23T06:24:18+00:00
Description: In “The Rainbow”, Christina Rossetti marvels at the beauty of clouds and rainbows, showing that the natural wonders in the sky are far more beautiful than boats, ships, or bridges on Earth.

Class 5 English

Last Updated: 23 July 2026

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Chapter Introduction

In “The Rainbow”, Christina Rossetti marvels at the beauty of clouds and rainbows, showing that the natural wonders in the sky are far more beautiful than boats, ships, or bridges on Earth.

हिंदी में (Hindi)

कविता “इंद्रधनुष” में क्रिस्टीना रॉसेटी बादलों और इंद्रधनुष की सुंदरता की प्रशंसा करती हैं, यह दिखाते हुए कि आकाश में प्राकृतिक अद्भुत चीजें पृथ्वी पर नावों, जहाजों या पुलों की तुलना में कहीं अधिक सुंदर हैं।

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Important Points

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Practice MCQ Questions (20 questions)

Q1. Who wrote 'The Rainbow'?

Q2. What does the poem compare the rainbow to?

Q3. According to the poem, what 'bridges heaven'?

Q4. What word in the poem means 'rises above'?

Q5. According to the poem, which is 'prettier far' than real bridges?

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Tough Words (Glossary)

Boats

Meaning: Small water vehicles used for traveling on rivers or lakes.

अर्थ: नाव

"The fishermen went out in their boats."

Sail

Meaning: To travel on water using sails or engines.

अर्थ: पानी पर चलना

"The ship will sail tomorrow."

Rivers

Meaning: Large natural streams of water flowing towards the sea.

अर्थ: नदियाँ

"Many villages are near rivers."

Ships

Meaning: Large boats used for traveling on seas and oceans.

अर्थ: जहाज़

"Ships carry goods across the sea."

Seas

Meaning: Large bodies of salt water smaller than oceans.

अर्थ: समुद्र

"Seas are home to many fishes."

Clouds

Meaning: White or grey masses of tiny water drops seen in the sky.

अर्थ: बादल

"Dark clouds bring rain."

Across

Meaning: From one side to the other side.

अर्थ: पार

"He walked across the road."

Sky

Meaning: The space above the earth that looks blue in the daytime.

अर्थ: आकाश

"Stars twinkle in the sky at night."

Prettier

Meaning: More beautiful than something else.

अर्थ: अधिक सुन्दर

"This flower is prettier than that one."

Bridges

Meaning: Structures built to cross rivers or roads.

अर्थ: पुल

"There are many bridges on the Ganga river."

Bow

Meaning: A curved shape, like part of a circle.

अर्थ: धनुषाकार आकृति

"The rainbow makes a bow in the sky."

Heaven

Meaning: A place believed to be above the earth where gods live.

अर्थ: स्वर्ग

"People pray to reach heaven."

Overtops

Meaning: To rise above or be taller than something.

अर्थ: ऊपर निकल जाना

"The tower overtops the trees."

Earth

Meaning: The planet we live on.

अर्थ: पृथ्वी

"The earth goes around the sun."

Road

Meaning: A path for traveling by vehicles or walking.

अर्थ: सड़क

"The road goes to the village."

NCERT Solutions Class 5 English Chapter 3 – The Rainbow

Chapter Introduction

Watch Video Lecture

Important Points

Practice MCQ Questions (20 questions)

Q1. Who wrote 'The Rainbow'?

Q2. What does the poem compare the rainbow to?

Q3. According to the poem, what 'bridges heaven'?

Q4. What word in the poem means 'rises above'?

Q5. According to the poem, which is 'prettier far' than real bridges?

Q6. What sails across the sky in the poem?

Q7. What do boats sail on?

Q8. What do ships sail on?

Q9. What does the rainbow 'build' according to the poem?

Q10. Which of the following best describes the poem's main idea?

Q11. Why does the poet say the rainbow is 'prettier far than these' (bridges and boats)?

Q12. What literary device is used when the poet says clouds 'sail across the sky'?

Q13. What does the metaphor 'builds a road from earth to sky' suggest about the rainbow?

Q14. What is the poet's attitude towards the rainbow?

Q15. The poem compares man-made things to natural things. What is the conclusion?

Q16. What rhymes with 'trees' in the second stanza?

Q17. The phrase 'as pretty as you please' means:

Q18. What does the poem teach children about nature?

Q19. The poem mentions both rivers AND seas. What does this show?

Q20. Which words in the poem create a sense of grandeur about the rainbow?