NCERT Revision Notes for Class 2 Maths Chapter 5: Playing with Lines – Free PDF Download

Chapter 5 of Class 2 Maths, Playing with Lines, introduces children to different types of lines — straight and curved — along with early ideas about drawing lines using a ruler, and recognising lines in patterns and everyday objects.

Last Updated: September 23, 2026

Key Concepts

Straight lines: lines that go directly from one point to another without any bend or curve.

Curved lines: lines that bend or change direction smoothly, without any sharp corners.

Open and closed shapes made of lines: a closed shape, like a square, starts and ends at the same point, while an open shape, like the letter “L”, does not.

Horizontal, vertical, and slanting lines: horizontal lines go side to side (like the horizon), vertical lines go up and down, and slanting lines are tilted.

Using a ruler: a tool used to draw straight lines accurately and measure their length.

Worked Examples

Example 1

Is the edge of a book a straight or curved line? A straight line, because it goes directly from one corner to another without bending.

Example 2

Draw a closed shape using only straight lines. A triangle or square, drawn using three or four straight lines that meet back at the starting point, is a closed shape.

Example 3

Is a rainbow shape a straight line or a curved line? A curved line, since it bends smoothly without any sharp corners.

Quick Recap

• Straight lines go directly between two points without bending.
• Curved lines bend smoothly and do not have sharp corners.
• Closed shapes start and end at the same point; open shapes do not.
• Lines can be described as horizontal, vertical, or slanting based on their direction.
• A ruler helps draw straight lines accurately and measure their length.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Confusing a slightly bent straight line drawn without a ruler for a curved line.
• Mixing up horizontal and vertical directions when describing a line.
• Drawing an open shape while trying to make a closed one, by not joining the lines back to the start.
• Assuming all curved lines look like circles, when curves can also be wavy or irregular.
• Not holding the ruler steady while drawing, leading to a wobbly line that looks curved instead of straight.

Home Practice Tips

• Practise drawing straight lines using a ruler and curved lines freehand, comparing how they look different.
• Look around the house for examples of straight lines (edges of a table) and curved lines (a coiled rope).
• Draw simple closed shapes, like a square or triangle, using only straight lines.
• Practise identifying horizontal, vertical, and slanting lines in drawings or photos.
• Trace letters of the alphabet and sort them into those made mostly of straight lines (like L, T) and curved lines (like C, S).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the difference between a straight line and a curved line?
A straight line goes directly from one point to another without bending, while a curved line bends smoothly and changes direction along its path.

Q2. What is the difference between an open and a closed shape?
A closed shape starts and ends at the same point, forming a complete outline, while an open shape does not connect back to its starting point.

Q3. Why is using a ruler important in this chapter?
A ruler helps draw straight lines accurately and also allows measuring the length of a line, both of which are useful skills introduced early in this chapter.

Q4. How can I help my child tell horizontal and vertical lines apart?
Explain that horizontal lines go side to side, like the horizon, while vertical lines go up and down, like a standing pole, and practise pointing these out around the house.

Q5. Why do children learn about lines before shapes in geometry?
Lines are the basic building blocks of shapes, so understanding straight and curved lines first makes it easier to understand how shapes are formed later.

Full walkthrough: Chapter 5 Solutions for step-by-step textbook answers.

Written by Satish

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