Comprehensive guide to Grade 1 Olympiad preparation with sample questions across English, Mathematics and Science subjects.
English Fundamentals
Word Completion
Fill in missing letters in CVC words and match words to pictures.
Phonics
Identify words by beginning sounds and choose correct words for pictures.
Comprehension
Answer questions based on pictures, match sentences to images, and identify true/false statements.
English Language Skills
Vocabulary
Identify opposites through pictures and words. Match words to their opposites and circle the correct antonym.
- Picture-based opposites (big/small, hot/cold)
- Word matching (tall-short, fast-slow)
Grammar Basics
Recognize parts of speech and use correct articles.
- Identify nouns (cat, table)
- Identify verbs (jump, run)
- Fill in articles (a, an, the)
Reading & Listening
Read phrases aloud and follow spoken instructions.
- Phrase reading ("Red balloon")
- Follow instructions ("Touch your nose")
Math: Number Sense
Number Recognition
Write number names (e.g., 47), identify place values (e.g., 6 in 63), and write numbers in expanded form (e.g., 25).
Number Comparison
Determine which number is greater (e.g., 78 or 87) and identify even and odd numbers (e.g., 24, 35, 46, 59).
Skip Counting
Count by 10s (10, 20, 30, ...) and identify numbers in sequence (e.g., what comes between 49 and 51).
Math: Operations
Addition
Solve 2-digit addition problems (34 + 12) and find missing addends (__ + 15 = 28).
Subtraction
Calculate differences (56 - 21) and solve 2-digit subtraction (81 - 26).
Word Problems
Solve story sums (Rani had 25 pencils. She gave 10. How many left?).
Number Line
Use number lines to solve problems (Start at 15, jump forward 10).
Math: Time & Money
Time
Read analog clocks, identify times of day for activities, and name days and months.
- Reading o'clock times
- Days of the week sequence
Money
Recognise coin values, count money and calculate change.
- Identifying highest value coins
- Adding money amounts
Practical Applications
Determine what can be purchased with given amounts and identify items by price.
- Shopping scenarios
- Making change
Math: Geometry & Measurement
Shape Recognition
Identify 2D and 3D shapes
Measurement
Compare length, weight, and capacity
Properties
Recognise symmetry and count sides
Math: Patterns & Logic
Pattern Recognition
Continue visual and number patterns
Data Handling
Read pictographs and bar graphs
Logical Reasoning
Identify odd ones out and solve puzzles
Science: My Body & Plants
My Body & Health
Match body parts to functions (Eyes → See), identify internal organs, and recognize healthy habits.
Plants Around Us
Identify plant parts (leaf, root, flower), edible plant parts and types of plants (climbers, trees).
Animals Around Us
Match animals to their food, identify wild vs. pet animals, and recognise animal babies.
Science: Food & Clothing
Food & Digestion
Match foods to their benefits (Rice → Energy), identify plant-based foods and recognise good eating habits.
Clothes We Wear
Match materials to clothing items (Wool → Sweater), identify seasonal clothing, and recognise uniforms.
Water
Identify natural and man-made water sources, recognise clean water, and understand water conservation.
Science: Environment
Air & Weather
Understand properties of air, identify weather types and match clothing to weather conditions.
Transport
Categorise vehicles by land/water/air, compare speeds, and recognise safety rules.
Surroundings & Safety
Identify living vs. non-living things, natural vs. man-made objects and safe behaviours.
Community Helpers
Match helpers to workplaces and tools (Fireman → Fire station).
Science: Daily Life
Places
Home, school and neighbourhood locations
Properties
Physical characteristics of objects
Seasons
Seasonal changes and festivals
Earth & Sky
Day Sky
The sun appears during day. Children identify bright skies and learn what makes daytime unique.
Night Sky
Moon and stars appear at night. Students match these objects to nighttime characteristics.
Natural vs. Man-made
Children distinguish between natural objects (moon, stars) and human creations (rockets, satellites).
Sky Observation
Students identify key sky features. They recognize differences between day and night scenes.
Assessment Methods
Multiple choice questions, matching exercises, fill-in-the-blanks, and picture-based questions. Students identify correct answers from given options or match related items.
Reading fluency exercises, listening comprehension tasks, and speaking activities. Students read phrases aloud, follow verbal instructions, and describe pictures or objects.
Picture-based comprehension, image matching, and visual pattern recognition. Students interpret images, match pictures to words, and identify visual sequences.
Grade 1 Humanities Olympiad
Full year syllabus covering family, community, culture and civic awareness for young learners.
Family, Community & Culture
Family & Relationships
Understanding family members, relationships and family types through matching exercises and identification tasks.
- Uncle, aunt, cousin relationships
- Joint and nuclear families
- Identifying family members
Community Helpers
Recognising helpers and their tools: tailor with needle, postman with letters, driver with vehicle and more.
- Helpers like doctors, teachers
- Farmers working on crops
- Matching tools to professions
Festivals & Culture
Celebrating diversity through festivals: Eid with moon, Christmas with tree, Diwali with diyas, and Holi with colours.
- Festival symbols and foods
- Cultural traditions
- Special celebrations
Safety, Services & Good Habits
Transport & Safety
Traffic rules, safety equipment like helmets and seat-belts, and understanding different vehicles and their locations.
Public Places & Services
Identifying key locations: police stations, hospitals, schools, post offices, and understanding who works where.
Good Habits & Civic Sense
Daily routines, cleanliness, politeness, queuing properly, and respectful behaviour in public spaces like parks.
Match Concepts
Connect related items like dustbin to garbage, traffic light to road rules
Tick Correct Options
Choose appropriate answers from multiple choices provided
Circle Right Answers
Identify correct symbols, signs, and visual representations
India & National Symbols
Understanding India's national identity through symbols, leaders, and celebrations. Students learn about the peacock as national bird, mango as national fruit, and lotus as national flower.
Key celebrations include 26th January with flag hoisting, recognising Mahatma Gandhi as Bapu, and understanding the tricolour flag with Ashoka Chakra.
National Bird
Peacock – India's vibrant national bird
National Fruit
Mango – beloved fruit across India
National Flower
Lotus – symbol of purity and beauty
National Anthem
Jana Gana Mana – India's anthem
Assessment Format: Written exercises include matching, ticking and circling activities. Oral component tests verbal comprehension and explanation skills across all seven topic areas.
Heritage Olympiad: Traditional Stories
Explore the rich tapestry of Indian folklore through captivating tales from renowned literary traditions. Grade 1 students will delve into the wisdom and wit of these timeless narratives, fostering an appreciation for cultural heritage.
Tenali Raman Stories
- The Cursed Man (शापित व्यक्ति)
- Tenali and the Thieves (तेनाली और चोर)
- The Weight of the Elephant (हाथी का वज़न)
- The Reward for the Guru (गुरु का इनाम)
- The Magical Horse (जादुई घोड़ा)
- The Brinjal Curry (बैंगन की सब्ज़ी)
Birbal Stories
- Birbal Catches the Thief (बीरबल ने चोर पकड़ा)
- The Pot of Wit (बुद्धि का घड़ा)
- Birbal Identifies the Mother (बीरबल ने माँ पहचानी)
- The List of Fools (मूर्खों की सूची)
- Birbal and the Beggar (बीरबल और भिखारी)
- Birbal’s Khichdi (बीरबल की खिचड़ी)
Jātaka Tales
- The Ocean Again (समुद्द जातक)
- King Mandātu Again (मन्दातु जातक)
- The Frightened Travelers (लोमहंस जातक)
- The Nandā Elephant Again (नन्दा जातक)
- The Lesser Goose Again (चुल्लहंस जातक)
- The Drummer Again (भेरिवाद जातक)
- The Conch-Blower Again (शंखधमन जातक)
Grade 1 Olympiad Syllabus