Comprehension Passage: Diwali – The Festival of Lights

(Easy Version)

Diwali, also known as Deepawali, is one of the most popular festivals celebrated in India. It is called the Festival of Lights because people decorate their homes with diyas, candles, and colorful lights.

This festival marks the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and his victory over the demon Ravana. People celebrate Diwali with joy, happiness, and togetherness. They clean their homes, wear new clothes, make delicious sweets, and share gifts with friends and family.

At night, the sky shines with fireworks, and children enjoy bursting crackers. People also worship Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and pray for happiness and prosperity in their homes. Diwali teaches us to spread light, love, and goodness everywhere and to remove darkness and evil from our lives.

Answer the Following Questions

1. What is another name for Diwali?
2. Why is Diwali called the Festival of Lights?
3. Who returned to Ayodhya on Diwali?
4. What do people do to celebrate Diwali?
5. Which goddess is worshipped during Diwali?
6. What lesson does Diwali teach us?

Fill in the Blanks

1. Diwali is also known as ___________.
2. People decorate their homes with __________ and __________.
3. Lord __________ returned to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile.
4. On Diwali, people worship Goddess __________.
5. Diwali teaches us to spread __________ and __________.

Find Similar Words (Synonyms) from the Passage

1. Happy = __________
2. Wealth = __________
3. Shine = __________
4. Evil = __________

Make Sentences with These Words

1. Festival – ________________________________
2. Light – ________________________________
3. Family – ________________________________
4. Home – ________________________________

 

If you like this effort by the Busy Brains team, please follow us on Instagram.

 

Comprehension Passage: Diwali – The Festival of Lights

(Advanced Version)

Diwali, also known as Deepawali, is one of the most celebrated festivals in India and holds great cultural and spiritual significance. The word Deepawali means a row of lamps. This festival symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.

According to the great Indian epic Ramayana, Diwali marks the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile and his victory over the demon king Ravana. To welcome him, the people of Ayodhya lit thousands of earthen lamps, filling the entire kingdom with light and joy. Since then, this tradition has continued every year as a reminder of hope, truth, and righteousness.

In modern times, Diwali has become a festival of unity and happiness. Families clean and decorate their homes, wear new clothes, prepare sweets, and exchange gifts. People worship Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, seeking blessings for peace and success. The night sky glows with dazzling fireworks, creating an atmosphere of celebration and excitement. However, it is also important to celebrate Diwali responsibly — avoiding excessive noise and pollution to protect nature and our environment.

Diwali reminds us that true light does not come from lamps or firecrackers, but from within our hearts — from kindness, honesty, and love. It encourages us to remove the darkness of hatred and selfishness and to fill our lives with positivity and compassion.

Answer the Following Questions

1. What does the word Deepawali mean?
2. What are the three main symbolic meanings of Diwali?
3. Why did the people of Ayodhya light lamps on Diwali?
4. Which goddess is worshipped during Diwali, and why?
5. How has Diwali changed in modern times?
6. What message does Diwali give about true light?
7. Why is it important to celebrate Diwali responsibly?

Fill in the Blanks

1. The festival of Diwali represents the victory of ______ over ______.
2. Lord ______ returned to Ayodhya after defeating ______.
3. People worship Goddess ______ for wealth and prosperity.
4. The people of Ayodhya welcomed Lord Rama by lighting ______.
5. True light comes from ______, not from firecrackers.

Find Words from the Passage that Mean

1. A long period of punishment away from home = __________
2. Great happiness and celebration = __________
3. Freedom from ignorance or darkness = __________
4. Wealth and success = __________
5. Caring for others = __________

Answer in One Line

1. What does Diwali teach about human behavior?
2. Mention one environmental concern related to Diwali.
3. Which epic is associated with the story of Diwali?
4. Write one modern way people celebrate Diwali.

Higher-Order Thinking (Reasoning Questions)

1. Why do you think Diwali is called the “Festival of Lights”?
2. How can we celebrate Diwali in an eco-friendly way?
3. In what way does Diwali bring people together?
4. What would happen if people forgot the true meaning of Diwali?

 

If you like this effort by the Busy Brains team, please follow us on Instagram.

 

✅ Answer Key of Easy Version

A. Answer the Following Questions

1. What is another name for Diwali?
   👉 Deepawali
2. Why is Diwali called the Festival of Lights?
   👉 Because people decorate their homes with diyas, candles, and colorful lights.
3. Who returned to Ayodhya on Diwali?
   👉 Lord Rama
4. What do people do to celebrate Diwali?
   👉 They clean their homes, wear new clothes, make sweets, share gifts, and burst crackers.
5. Which goddess is worshipped during Diwali?
   👉 Goddess Lakshmi
6. What lesson does Diwali teach us?
   👉 Diwali teaches us to spread light, love, and goodness and remove darkness and evil.

B. Fill in the Blanks

1. Diwali is also known as Deepawali.
2. People decorate their homes with diyas and candles.
3. Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile.
4. On Diwali, people worship Goddess Lakshmi.
5. Diwali teaches us to spread light and love.

C. Find Similar Words (Synonyms) from the Passage

1. Happy = Joy
2. Wealth = Prosperity
3. Shine = Glow
4. Evil = Darkness

D. Make Sentences with These Words

(Sample answers – students can use their own)

1. Festival – Diwali is my favorite festival.
2. Light – I light a diya every evening.
3. Family – I love celebrating Diwali with my family.
4. Home – Our home looks beautiful with lamps and decorations.

 

✅ Answer Key of Advanced Version

A.

1. A row of lamps.
2. Light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance.
3. To celebrate Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana.
4. Goddess Lakshmi — for wealth and prosperity.
5. People now use modern lights, gifts, and fireworks; it’s more social and commercial.
6. True light is inner goodness and positive thoughts.
7. To reduce pollution and protect the environment.

B.

1. Good, evil
2. Rama, Ravana
3. Lakshmi
4. Diyas (lamps)
5. Within our hearts

C.

1. Exile
2. Joy
3. Enlightenment
4. Prosperity
5. Compassion

D.

1. It teaches kindness and goodness.
2. Noise and air pollution.
3. Ramayana.
4. Decorating homes and exchanging gifts.

 

If you like this effort by the Busy Brains team, please follow us on Instagram.

Comprehension Passage – Diwali – The Festival of Lights Download PDF by The Busy Brains