Vocation Class 5 English Chapter 9 CBSE Notes 2025-26

"Vocation" is a poem from Chapter 9 of CBSE Class 5 English that shows the world through the eyes of a young child. The speaker shares how he observes people around him—the hawker, the gardener, and the watchman—and dreams of having their lives because they seem free from restrictions. The poem is divided into three main parts, each describing a different person at a certain time of day.

Summary of the Poem The child hears a gong at ten in the morning as he starts for school and spots a bangle-selling hawker. The hawker can walk anywhere, at any speed, and has no set route or time to return home. This freedom attracts the speaker, making him wish to be a hawker.

In the afternoon, on his way back, the child sees a gardener digging with a spade, working as he pleases, and not being scolded regardless of how dirty or tired he gets. The child admires this independence and wishes to be a gardener.

At night, from his bedroom, he observes the lonely watchman walking down the street under the street lamp (described as a giant with a glowing red eye). The child envies the watchman’s ability to stay awake and roam the streets freely.

Key Vocabulary The poem includes some important new words to learn:

• Vocation – a person’s job or occupation, especially the one they are drawn to
• Gong – a metal disc that makes a loud sound when struck
• Lane – a narrow road or passage
• Giant – an imaginary very tall and strong person
• Spade – a gardening tool used for digging
• Lantern – a light source that can be carried

Main Points and Analysis

• The speaker is a child who narrates his daily routine by observing people on his way to school, during return, and at bedtime.
• He wishes to be a hawker in the morning, a gardener in the evening, and a watchman at night, mainly because they all appear free.
• The poem subtly suggests that every job appears easy and enjoyable from the outside, but may have its own difficulties.
• This wish to do other people’s jobs shows how children often feel restricted and long to break rules that control their own lives.

Important Questions for Revision These questions help sum up the poem and boost understanding:

• Who is the speaker in the poem? The child.
• Why does the child want to be a hawker, gardener, or watchman? Because they seem independent and free.
• How is the street lamp described? As a giant with one red eye in its head.
• What is the daily schedule of the speaker? Goes to school at ten, returns at four, goes to bed at night but observes others working.

Word Meanings Some key words and their meanings given in the poem are as follows:

• Spade: A tool for digging in gardens.
• Giant: A huge and strong imaginary being.
• Lantern: A case that can be carried and holds a lamp or candle.
• Gong: A musical metal disc making a loud sound.
• Lane: A narrow street.

Grammar and Language Practice The chapter helps students practice correct English usage by spotting and correcting errors in given sentences:

• "I has recently read a new book." The correct form is "I have recently read a new book."
• Students practice subject-verb agreement, comparative forms, and tenses with more sentences like "He go to school everyday." (should be "He goes to school every day.")
• Teachers are encouraged to create more sentences for practice.

Everyday Tools and Objects The lesson mentions common objects often used for different vocations:

• Telescope, hammer, screwdriver, grater, sickle, tongs, stethoscope, camera, compass, mouse, saw
• Students are encouraged to discuss where they have seen these tools and their uses in daily jobs.

Speaking and Listening Skills The chapter focuses on correct pronunciation and conversation skills. There are exercises to repeat and correctly pronounce words like "cushion," "ration," "fashion," and "tension." Students practice using similar-sounding words, such as "mention," "attention," "nation," and "vocation." Learners are asked to share their own experiences of wanting to do many things at once, fostering speaking and reflection.

Creative and Writing Activities Writing tasks in the chapter include:

• Describing what might be difficult or boring in the jobs of hawker, gardener, and watchman
• Writing about the vocations of family members
• Identifying and matching famous people in India to their professions, such as A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (scientist), M. Visvesvaraya (engineer), Janaki Ammal (botanist), M.S. Subbulakshmi (musician), and Salim Ali (ornithologist)

These tasks help children understand different professions and appreciate the value of all kinds of work.

Observation and Discussion Students are invited to notice different things during their journey to and from school. They are asked to discuss and compare their observations, promoting both reasoning and descriptive skills. The "Job Mix–Up!" activity asks them to describe the right and wrong jobs for people in pictures, reinforcing the concept of vocation.

Exploring Various Professions The lesson lists jobs such as beekeeper, dancer, photographer, teacher, chef, pilot, farmer, and florist. Students are prompted to think about which job they'd like, explain their choice, and even draw themselves in that role. There is also encouragement to think beyond traditional jobs, increasing awareness and respect for all kinds of work.

Important Takeaways "Vocation" teaches us not just to look at the fun or easy side of any job, but also to understand the effort and challenges involved. It encourages gratitude for our own life and respect for the work of others. It stresses the idea that every role, however small or big, deserves dignity. The poem also gently reminds students that other people’s lives may look attractive from the outside, but each comes with its own set of responsibilities.

Notes for Teachers and Parents The chapter offers opportunities to talk about social roles, the value of unpaid work like housework, and gender equity. Group work and discussions help children develop good social and communication skills. Pronunciation practice, question-making, and creative tasks make lessons interactive and help solidify concepts about different vocations and the nature of work.

Class 5 English Chapter 9 Notes – Vocation (CBSE): Easy Revision for Students

These Class 5 English Chapter 9 notes cover all major topics from the poem "Vocation," helping students understand main ideas, new words, and important discussions. With well-organized summaries and key pointers, learners can quickly revise before exams or homework. Simple explanations and vocabulary support make these revision notes ideal for regular study.

The chapter offers a variety of exercises to improve thinking, writing, and speaking skills. Students will find these notes useful for remembering vocabulary, poem meaning, and core grammar concepts from CBSE English Unit 5. These revision notes also encourage a deeper appreciation for different vocations and the dignity of work.