STUDY MATERIAL OF CLASS -VII

SUBJECT - ENGLISH.
READING ,WRITING & GRAMMAR
Section A (Reading)
1. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.
After India gained Independence from the British rule, our leaders set to work to
prepare a constitution, on the basis of which our country would be governed. With
Jawaharlal Nehru as the Prime Minister, the Law Minister, B.R. Ambedkar was
given the work of writing the Constitution. For this work, the Constituent Assembly
was formed. Many leaders from all over India were in this assembly. The work was
completed after three years. When we as a nation accepted the new Constitution
and put it into use, we became a Republic.
On January 26, 1950, two-and-a-half years after Independence, India became a
Republic. The idea of the Republic is taken from a book by the same name by
Greek philosopher Plato in which he describes an ideal state, ruled by the people.
Every single citizen got the right to vote, making our country the largest democracy
in the world. On the first Republic Day, Nehru told his countrymen, "We are
fortunate to witness the emergence of Republic of India and our successors may
well envy us this day".
Though the Indian Republic is over 60 years old, our history goes back to 5000
years. However, our society contained many injustices and some people were
oppressed and denied equal rights over centuries. Millions suffered due to cast
differences. Our Constitution aims at removing these wrongs. Taking into
consideration that our country has people of different faiths it declares that India
will be a Secular Republic.
On the day our country became a Republic, National Emblems were also
announced. The figure of seated lions is from a Buddhist monument in Senath.
This lion sculpture originally formed the top portion of a pillar, which contained emperor
Ashoka's message to people. The wheel at the centre of our national flag, the Dharma Chakra,
is also from the same sculpture. The words, Satyameva Jyathe, that are found in Mundukya
Upnishad, were chosen as the national motto. Our constitution teaches us to extend respect to
these national symbols.
The Republic Day commands the respect of every Indian . India, a sovereign democratic
republic secures all its citizens' justice, liberty and equality. The democracy is not a gift, but the fundamental right of
every citizen. Apart from fundamental rights, Constitution of India enlists many fundamental duties for us. Therefore
it is our sacred responsibility to preserve and protect the legacy of our great leaders and to promote unity of the
nation.

(iv)
On the basis of your reading of the passage, complete the following statements briefly .
 i. After Independence our country needed a constitution in order to.....................
Ans:-Govern.

ii.India was declared a secular state

because..........................................................
Ans:-In our country people has of different faiths.
b.
Choose the correct meaning of the word 'religiously unbiased' from the options
given below.

i.emergence

ii.secular

iii.successor
iv. oppressed

Ans:- secular
c.
"Our Constitution aims at removing these wrongs". Which wrongs have been
mentioned in the passage?
Ans: 1. Equal rights
2. Caste differences
d. How can Indians contribute to promote the unity of our nation?
Ans:- By preserving & protecting the legacy of our great leaders.

2. Read the following poem and answer the questions that follow:

There‟s a shed at the bottom of our garden

With a spider‟s web hanging across the door,
The hinges are rusty and creak in the wind.
When I‟m in bed I lie and I listen,

I‟ll open that door one day

There‟s a dusty old window around at the side
With three cracked panes of glass,
I often think there‟s someone staring at me

Each time that I pass,

I‟ll peep through that window one day.
My brother says there‟s a ghost in the shed
Who hides under the rotten floorboards,

And if I ever dare to set foot inside

He‟ll jump out and chop off my head,
But I‟ll take a peek one day.
I know that there isn‟t really a ghost,

My brother tells lies to keep the shed for his den;

There isn‟t anyone staring or making strange noises
And the spider has been gone from his web
Since I don‟t know when,
I‟ll go into that shed one day soon,
 But not just yet...

a.
What does the narrator plan to do one day?
Ans:- One day the narrator plans to go inside the shed.
What does the brother tell the narrator? Why?
b. Ans:- The brother tells the narrator that if he ever went inside the shed, the
ghost might chop off his head saying so the speakers brother frightens the
speaker.
Find out two pairs of rhyming words from the extract.
c. Ans:- 1. Pass- Glass
2.Rusty-Dusty

d.
Which word in the extract means the same as 'a movable joint'? Choose the

Appropriate option from the following.

1. peek
2. hinge
• web
• panes

Ans::- hinge

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:
You are in a busy public area: coughing or breathing in polluted air. Driving home
in peak traffic, you curse as smoke and exhaust fumes assail you from all sides. But
when you reach home, you shut the windows, switch on the fan, and relax,
breathing a sigh of relief. Feeling safe finally. But are you? Actually not. Right here
too countless allergens and pollutants are possibly assailing you. You are being
subjected to Indoor Air Pollution(IAP). What's more shocking is that the air
pollution is often in the victim's own home. More than half of those deaths are
caused by indoor pollutants, which in the developing world largely come from
indoor cooking stove fuels like wood, coal, and cow dung.

Few people know this because most studies, media attention and public campaigns have
focused on outdoor pollution. But IAP is scarier than you could imagine. India currently has
the world's largest number of IAP- related health problems with 75percent of its rural
household burning wood, dung cakes and crop residues(agricultural wastes)- the "traditional"
biomass fuels. Also an estimated 5,00,000 women and children die in India each year due to
IAP- related causes-25 percent of estimated IAP-related deaths worldwide, according to World
Bank report.
 Studies at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi show how unhealthy cooking
methods and use of biomass fuels contribute to respiratory-tract infections including chronic
bronchitis in women and puts children below five at grave risk. It has also been noted that
even poor ventilation also contributes.
Broadly, in urban India, the main IAP contributors are aerobiological and irritants.
Aerobiological are dust mites, cockroaches, pollen and fungi, pet excreta, bacteria and viruses
which develop sensitivity and trigger coughing and wheezing. Even our kitchen trash-bin
contributes a huge volume of illness causing bacteria and unpleasant odour to indoor air.
Cockroach droppings trigger allergic asthma.
Irritants are formaldehyde found in carpets, heavy draperies and in cupboards made of
compressed wood causing chronic eye irritation, cough and asthma. Granite emits radon that
produces cough. LPG and electricity are healthier for cooking. Modern fuels are especially
needed in vulnerable rural areas.
Allow plenty of sunlight into home which kills germs, prevents fungi moulds and permit cross
ventilation. Sun-dry the mattresses, pillows and carpets regularly. Restrict relative humidity
and keep kitchens scrupulously clean. Pets are kept clean. A better alternative is indoor plants,
which absorb carbon dioxide and emit oxygen.
(ii) Suggest a suitable title for the passage.
Ans:- IAP(indoor air pollution)
(iii) Enlist some of the measures by which IAP can be minimized.
Ans:- Allow plenty of sunlight into home which kills germs, prevent fungi moulds &
permit cross ventilation, sun dry the mattresses.
(iv) Complete the following with suitable words/phrases describing the hazards matching with the
causes.
Causes Health Hazard
dust mites Wheezing
i.

Allergis
cockroach droppin Asthma
ii.
(i) Find words from the passage which mean the same as:
i. attacking violently Ans:- Assail
very carefully and thoroughly Ans:- Scrupulously
e. IAP is considered to be more harmful because
it contains more pollutants than outdoor air pollution
(i) there is lack of awareness in the people in the absence of campaigns
(ii) it leads to serious diseases
(iii) both (b) and (c)

Ans:- both (b) and (c)

Read the following passage carefully:

Fleas feast on anything containing blood. Like a shark in the water or a wolf in the woods, fleas have
everything necessary for their job, and are difficult to defeat. The bodies of these tiny parasites are extremely
hard. They have exoskeletons which are made of tough plates called sclerites. The plates are waterproof and
shock resistant and protect them from being squished. They cannot be killed with chemicals. Little spines are
attached to this plate. But if anyone tries to pull a flea off, these spines will extend and stick to the fur like
Velcro. A flea can jump seven inches, or 150 times its own length, either vertically or horizontally. Fleas can
jump 30,000 times in a row without stopping. The adult female flea mates after her first blood meal and
begins producing eggs in just 1 to 2 days. One flea can lay up to 50 eggs in one day and over 2,000 in her
lifetime. Flea eggs can be seen with the naked eye, but they are about the size of a grain of salt. Shortly after
being laid, the eggs begin to transform into cocoons. In the cocoon state, fleas are fully developed adults,
and will hatch immediately if conditions are favourable.

Answer the following questions:

a) Fleas are resistant to sprays and chemicals because they are waterproof.
b) Fleas are difficult to squish because they are waterproof & shock resistant.
c) Fleas can jump__30000______ times in a row.
d) Fleas have exoskeletons which are made of tough plates called sclerites.
e) How can flea eggs be seen? Fleas eggs can be seen with the naked eyes.
f) In which state are fleas fully developed In the cocoon state, fleas are fully developed.

Read the passage given below:

Amazon is the world's second largest river and the chief river of South America. 3900 miles
long, it has more water than the Yangtze, Nile and the Mississippi put together. Formed in the
Andes mountains it flows east, through the jungles in Brazil and empties into the Atlantic
Ocean. The river flows at a speed of about 2.5 kilometres per hour during the dry season and
increases to about five kilometres per hour when the river is swollen by rain. Amazon rainforest
is the world's largest tropical rainforest and covers approximately 5.2 million square kilometres
in the Amazon River Basin of South America. About two thirds of the rainforest lies in Brazil.
It contains a wider variety of plant and animal life than any other place in the world. More than
1500 species of birds make their homes here, and the region's rivers contain up to 3000 species
of fish. In addition, scientists believe that as many as 30 million different insect species may
live in the forest.

Answer the following question:

a) Amazon is the chief river of South america

b) The source of the river is Andes Mountains.
c) The river joins Atlantic Ocean
d) Two thirds of the rainforest lies in Brazil
e) Describe two features of Amazon rainforest
Ans:- 1. Amazon rainforest is the world largest
tropical rainforest.
2.It Covers approximately 5.2 million square
kilometre in the Amazon basin of south America.

Q. Read the following poem carefully and answer the following questions.

The sun descending in the west,

The evening star does shine;
The birds are silent in their nest.
And I must seek for mine.

The moon, like a flower

In heaven‟s high bower,
With silent delight
Sits and smiles on the night.

Farewell, green fields and happy grove,

Where flocks have taken delight;
Where lambs have nibbled, silent move
The feet of angles bright;

Unseen they pour blessing

And joy without ceasing
On each bud and blossom,
And each sleeping bosom.

They look in every thoughtless nest

Where birds are covered warm;
They visit caves of every beast,
To keep them all from harm

That should have been sleeping,

They pour sleep on their head,
And sit down by their bed.

a. The evening star rises when

The birds leave their nests
It is midnight
It is dawn
The sun descends in the west

b. Here, „bower‟ represents

A potted plant
A framework that supports climbing plants
A bouquet of flowers
A flower vase

c. The poet compares moon to

A flower
A bird in the nest
An evening star
An angel

d. The angels come down on earth to

Spread moonlight
Give blessing and joy
Make people dance and have fun
Take blessing and joy

e. Birds‟ nest is described as „thoughtless‟ because

The angles are blessing the birds to be happy
The birds are covered in the warmth of their nest
It is made without any thought
The occupants are asleep without any care
 Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions:

Real history should deal, not with few individuals here and there, but with the people who
make up a nation, who work and by their labour produce the luxuries of life, and who in a
thousand different ways act and react on each other. Such a history of man would really be a
fascinating story. It would be the story of man‟s struggle through the ages against nature
and the elements, against wild beasts and the jungle and, last and most difficult of all,
against some of his own kind who have tried to keep him down to exploit him for their own
benefit. It is the story of man‟s struggle for a living. And because, in order to live, certain
things, like food and shelter and clothing in cold climates, are necessary, those who have
controlled these necessities have lorded it over man. The rulers and the bosses have had
authority because they owned or controlled some essentials of livelihood, and this control
gave them the power to starve people into submission. And so we see the strange sight of
large masses being exploited by the comparatively few; of some who earn without
working at all, and of vast numbers who work but earn very little.

The savage, hunting alone, gradually forms a family; and the whole household works
together and for each other. Many households co-operate together to form the village, and
workers and merchants and artisans of different villages later join together to form
craftsmen. Gradually, you see the social unit growing. To begin with, it was the individual,
the savage. There was no society of any kind. The family was the next bigger unit, and then
the village and the group of villages. Why did this social unit grow? It was the struggle for
a living that forced growth and co-operation for co-operation in defence against the
common enemy and in attack was obviously far more effective than single-handed defence
or attack.

1. What do you understand by ‘real history’?

Ans:- Real history does not deal with few individual but with the p[eople who make up a
nations.
2. What do you mean by man’s struggle?
Ans:- In order to get livelihood his struggle for food, shelter & clothing.
3. Attractive means fascinating
4. Using someone to one’s own advantage
means
a) exploit b) react c) struggle d) savage
Read the following passage carefully:

Some animals have teeth, horns, or claws to help defend them from predators; the
octopus concentrates its energy on hiding from and confusing its attackers. One of the
octopus's defense
mechanisms is its ability to squirt clouds of ink into the water. Some octopi use this cloud of ink
as camouflage. After squirting the ink, the octopus retreats into the ink cloud where the
predator cannot see it. Other octopi use the ink cloud as a decoy. If a large, intelligent
predator such as a shark knows that octopi use ink clouds for camouflage, it might simply
attack the ink cloud blindly, hoping to make contact with the octopus inside. However,
some sneaky octopi will release the ink cloud in one direction and scurry away in another
direction, leaving the predator with nothing but a mouthful of ink. In addition to confusing
predators' sense of sight, these ink clouds also confuse their sense of smell. The ink is
composed primarily of melanin (the same chemical that gives human skin its colour), which
can shut down a predator's sense of smell. If an octopus cannot be seen or smelled, it has a
much higher chance of escaping an attack. It has the ability to change colour, much like a
chameleon. It has Chromatophores which contain yellow, orange, red, brown, or black
pigments, and the amount of each pigment present in the skin determines the animal's
colour. Some poisonous octopi, when provoked, will change their skin to a bright, eye
catching colour to warn predators that they are dangerous and ready to strike. They blend
in with their environment or pretend as another type of animal.
Many species of skink and lizard also possess this ability, which allows them to shed their
tails when caught by a predator and therefore get away. When a predator catches a
tentacle, the octopus can amputate this tentacle, thereby unfettering itself, and regrow the
tentacle later. While the octopus may not be the most vicious creature in the ocean, its
numerous and clever defense mechanisms help it to survive in the dangerous undersea
world.

Answer the following questions:

5. The shark is a
a) decoy b) predator c) cloud of ink d) camouflage
6. Which of the following is the best synonym for ‘unfettering’?
a) freeing b) re–growing c) amputating d) sacrificing

7. The animals have their specific skin colour because of melanin.

8. Many species
of skink & lizard shed their tail.
9. Explain octopus’s defence mechanism.
Ans:- Squirt clouds of ink into the water.
10. Find the words from the passage which mean the same as:
(a) Animal that naturally preys on others p r e d a t o r s (b) Disguise:- Sneaky
Read the following poem carefully and answer the following questions.
I lay in sorrow, in deep distress; My grief a proud man heard;
His looks were cold, he gave me
gold, But not a kindly word.

My sorrow passed, I paid him back

The gold he gave to me;
Then stood erect and spoke my thanks;
And blessed his charity.

I lay in want, and grief and pain;

He bound my head, he gave me bread,

He watched me night and day.

How shall I pay him back

again; For all he did to me?
Oh, gold is great, but greater
far, Is heavenly sympathy.

1. How did the proud man help the poet when he was in ‘deep distress’?
a) He gave him jewels b) He took him home
c) He gave some money d) He pitied the poet
2. What did he not give the poet?
Ans:- kind words
3. How did the poor man take care of the poet?
Ans:- bound head, give bread, etc.
4. Find the word from the poem which means the same as ‘solace’.
Ans:- torture
5. Find the word from the poem which is opposite in meaning to ‘stoop’.
Ans:- essect.
 Read the passage given below carefully and answer the questions that follow:

Street hawkers are seen everyday by us. They are a common feature of city life and are found in every city. A street
hawker is a mobile shopkeeper who carries his wares on his head or a handcart. He sells all kinds of things like
vegetables, fruits, ice-cream, eatables toys and other things of daily use. He goes from one street to another to sell
his wares.

A city hawker caters to the need of the people and supplies them goods at their homes, so he is liked by people who
get things at their door step. His way of selling good is charming. He shout sin the street in a interesting tone Some
hawkers ring bells and some make strange sounds, others sing songs in order to attract the attention of their
customers.

A hawker belongs to the poor section of the city population. He lives a hard life and has to work the
whole day to make both ends meet and thus feed his family.
Questions:
(i) When and where are street hawkers seen?
Ans:- Streets howkers are seen everyday by us and they are found in cities.
(ii) Mention the things that a street hawker sells.

Ans:- Vegetables, fruits, icecream, toys,etc.

(iii) Complete the sentence: Some hawkers ring bells and some makes sounds, others sing songs in
order to attract the attention of customers.
(iv) What kind of life does a hawker live?

Ans:- poor life.

Q. Read the passage given below carefully and answer the questions
that follow:

Robert Bruce was a prince. He wanted to do a lot of good for the people of his country. However the king
of the neighboring country took away his throne and kingdom and sent him out of the country. Robert
Bruce tried six times to fight against that king but failed. He now lived in a hut outside his kingdom.
One day, while lying on the bed, his eyes fell on a spider. It was hanging by a silvery thread from a log
of wood. It was trying to swing to another beam of wood. Each time it treed to do that it fell back again.
The spider tried six times without success. Then it tried once again. Prince Bruce was sure it would fall.
What a surprise! The spider was able to go on to the beam with the thread. That was the first thread of his
web. In this way the spider wove his web.
Robert Bruce learnt his lesson from the spider . he rose fromhis bed . He gathered his soldiers and
fought against the king . He was able to get back his kinglom .The spider taught him the lesson „‟Try,try
again untill you succeed‟‟.
Questions:

(i) What did prince Robert Bruce want to do?

Ans:- Robert Bruce wanted to do are lot of good things for the people of his country.
(ii) Who took away the kingdom of Robert Bruce?
Ans:- King of neighbouring country.
 (iii) What did he see on the ceiling of the hut?
Ans:- He saw a spider on the ceiling of the hut.
(iv) Complete the sentence:
The lesson that prince Robert Bruce learnt from the spider was try,try again until you succeed.
(v) Make pairs with the following words .Each pair should have similar meaning: Gathered
,succeed, collected , win.

Ans:-i Gathered- collected ii succeed- win

Read the passage and answer the questions that follow:

Metal detectors make magnetic waves. These waves go through the ground. The waves change when they
hit metal. Then the device beeps. This lets the person with the device know that metal is close. The first
metal detectors were meant to help miners. They were big. They cost a lot of money. They used a lot of
power. And worst of all, they didn't work well. People kept trying to make them better.

Metal detectors got smaller. Now they are light and cheap. They also work better. That is
why people bring them to the beach. They can look for rings in the water. They can look for phones in the
sand. Metal detectors help them find these things. They usually just find junk though.

Metal detectors also protect people. They help keep guns out of some places. They are at airports. They
are at courthouses. Some schools use them. They help guards look for weapons. Guards use special
wands to find metal on a person.

These devices save lives in other ways too. During wars, people plant bombs in the ground. When the
war ends, they don't clean up their messes. This is unsafe for the people who live in those places.
Soldiers use metal detectors to find bombs. They remove them and help the people. These devices also
make clothes safer. It sounds funny, but it's true. Most clothes are made in big factories. There are lots
of needles in these places. Needles break from time to time. They get stuck in the clothes. They would
poke people trying them on. They don't though. That's because our clothes are scanned for metal. Isn't
that nice? They make the world a safer place.

I. On the basis of your reading of the passage answer the following

questions.

a. Why were metal detectors first used?

Ans:- The first metal detectors were meant to help miners.
b. How do metal detectors help soldiers?
Ans:- Soldiers use metal detectors to find bombs.

C.Choose the correct answer from the given options.

a. How do metal detectors make clothing safer?

i. Metal detectors make sure factory machines are working the right way.
ii. Metal detectors make sure workers don't bring weapons into factories.
iii. Metal detectors make sure that broken needles don't get into clothing.
 iv. Metal detectors help people recover lost clothing at the beach.

b. According to the text, metal detectors have been used in all of the following except
.

i. schools iii. courthouses

ii. churches iv. airports

c. Find a word from the passage, which means the same as, „to look carefully in order to detect some feature
‟. (Para 4)

Ans:- Scanned.
 Section C (Grammar)
Rewrite the following sentences after replacing the underlined words/phrases
with suitable adverbs.
(a) She met the guests in a graceful manner. Ans:- gracefully
(b) She is talking to the host in a nice manner. Ans:- Nicely
(c) She is chopping the onions in a rough manner. Ans:- Roughly
(d) She acted in a bad manner. Ans:- Badely

Change the following sentences into passive voice.

a. The Guard refused him admittance.
Ans:- He was refused for admittance.
b. Thunder and lightning frighten the child.
Ans:- The child is frightened by Thunder and lightning.
c. Is he speaking English?

Ans:- Is English being spoken by him?

Fill in the blanks with the correct degree of comparison.

a. The mountaineer was the most courages person I had ever met. (courage)
b. The humming bird is the smallest in the whole World. (small)
c. I like Marigold flowers more han Sunflowers. (much)
d. Which of these two pens is better ? (good)

Complete the passage inserting suitable prepositions.

(i) He was stabbed __by_____ a lunatic _with_______ a dragger,
(ii) Paul is very good _in______ telling jokes. He reminds me_of____ his father.
(iii) If I had to choose___for______ going _____to____Mumbai or Goa, I'd choose Goa.
(iv) By the time the police found out _____of_____ the crime,
the thief was already__in______ Mexico.

Rearrange the following jumbled words/phrases to make meaningful

sentences.
(i) his / belief / Gandhiji‟s / greatest / was / in / strength / God
Ans:- Gandhiji‘s greatest was his belief in God.

(ii) shall / misconduct / be / you / for / your / punished

Ans:- you shall be punished for your misconduct.
(iii) are / the / description / of / beyond / beauties / nature
Ans:- The description of beauties are beyond nature.
(iv) assistants / shop / required / salesmen / and / are/for/a
Ans:- Salesman and assistants are required for a shoap.

Q. Change the voice from Active to Passive in the following sentences.

1. Columbus discovered America.
Ans:- Amereica was discovered by Columbus.
2. I do not write a diary.

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 Ans:- A diary is not written by me.
3. Ranjani was reading a book.
Ans:- A book was being read by ranjani
4. He will finish the work in a fortnight.
Ans:- The work will be finished by him in a fortnight.

Q. Rearrange the following words and phrases to form meaningful sentences.

1. a bed/warm box/I made/in a/for him
Ans:- I made a warm box in a bad for him.

2. I kept/on him/for/an eye/two days

Ans:- I kept an eye on him for two days.

3. and plenty/I gave/of water/him/food

Ans:- I gave him food and plenty of water

4. the dinner/we/left/table/just/have
Ans:- we have just left the dinner table.

Q. Fill in the correct preposition.

(v) He is afraid _of__ the dog.
(vi) I am tired __of______ walking.
(vii) I have known him _for_____ a long time.
(viii) Everyone laughed _at______ him.

Q. Complete the following sentences using the correct degree of adjectives.

1. India is the ___most beautiful_____ country. (beautiful)
2. Shakespeare is __greater______than any other English poet. (great)

3. Lead is ___heaviour_____ than gold. (heavy)

4. This girl is the __sweetest______ in the class. (sweet)

Q. Change the voice from Active to Passive in the following sentences.

a) I will paint the gate.
Ans:- The gate will be painted by me.
b) I do not write poems. Ans:- Poems are not written by me.
c) He does not push her. Ans:- She is not pushed by him.
d) Do you write a diary? Ans:- Is a diary written by you.
e) When will you complete the work? Ans:- When will the be completed by you?
f) Shut the door. Ans:- Let the door be opened by you.

Q. Rearrange the following words and phrases to form meaningful sentences.

a) your destiny/it/right hand/is said/your/that/is in
Ans:-It is said that your destiny is in right hand.

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b) place/our lives/music/important/has/in/an
Ans:- Music has an important place in our lives.

c) in search of a job/reached/a hotel/a young man

Ans:- A young man reached a hotel in search of a job.
d) one/cares for others/who/a gentleman/is
Ans:- One who cares for others in a gentleman.
e) people/was/musical/flooded/the/concert/with
Ans:- The musical concert was flooded with people.

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 Q. Add a suitable suffix to the words in the brackets and fill in the blanks.
a) The car Slowly (slow) rolled to a stop.
b) The child slept soundly (sound).
c) She is waiting excitedly (excited) for her competitions.
d) She dressed fashionablly (fashionable) for the event.
e) The children were eagerly (eager) waiting for their parents.
f) Rahim waited patiently (patient) for his turn.

Q. Complete the following sentences using the correct degree of adjectives.

a) Everest is the highest peak in the world. (high)
b) Susie is more beautiful than her sister. (beautiful)
c) Silver is lighter than gold. (light)
d) This boy is the strongest in the class. (strong).

Q. Change the following sentences into passive voice.

a. The gardener looks after the flowers.Ans:- The flowers are looked after by the gardener.
b. Who taught you French?Ans:- By whom you are taught French?
c. They were painting the house. Ans:- The house was being painted by them.
d. I have placed an order for a digital camera. Ans:- An order has being placed for a digital camera by
me.

1. Fill in the blanks with a, an, the:

Once upon (a) ……a……… time many mice lives in (b) a .......... house. There was plenty of food in
(c) ……the …… house. (d) ……the ……….. mice lived happily. One day (e) a cat came there and
swallow (f) the ...... mice.
2. Choose the correct preposition and fill in the blanks:

(i) We must not talk in the class (in/on/to)

(ii) Do not throw paper on the floor .(at/on/in)

(iii) My father bought me a gift from the shop.(from/of/in)

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 Section B (Writing)

Q. You are the Head Girl/Head Boy of your school. You plan to organize an inter class
debate competition for the students of classes VI to VIII. Write a notice in about 50
words inviting the interested students to participate in the debate. Invent all the necessary
details like date, time, venue and topic for the debate.

1. Write a paragraph on „Value of Games‟ in not more than 70-80 words

2. You recently saw the pictures of poachers killing animals in a wildlife sanctuary.
Write a diary entry describing your feelings in about 70-80 words.

3. Your cousin is a brilliant student but he is not keeping good health because he
avoids home-made food and is very fond of eating outside. Write a letter telling
him about the harmful effects of junk food and advising him to maintain good
health in about 80-90 words. You are Arpit/Arpita of Lawrence Road, Delhi

Q. You are Ankit/Ankita, Head Boy/Head Girl, Happy School, Delhi. Next month your school is
going to organize a trip to Leh-Ladakh during the summer vacation. Write a notice in 50 words
for the school notice board giving the details of the trip.

Q. 1. You are Amit, a student of class VII. Your grandfather has gifted you a scooty as a birthday
present. Write a diary entry in 70 words expressing your happiness on receiving the gift.
Q.2. You are Sumit/ Shrishti studying in class VII at a hostel in Shimla. Write a letter to your father
asking him for permission to go for an excursion.

Q.3. Write a paragraph on the topic „People are too dependent on technology.’

Q. Write a letter to your younger brother advising him to take part in games.

Q. Write a paragraph on any one of the given topics:

• Rainy Season
• A Visit to a Book Fair
• Value of Trees

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 Q.
You are Avdesh/ Avantika, Secretary, Science Forum, Modern School,
Allahabad. Write a
notice for the school notice board in not more than 50 words, inviting the students to
attend a lecture to be delivered by an eminent scientist. Invent all the necessary details.

Q. Y
ou are Anita / Anup, the Sports Secretary of St. Paul Public School, Baroda.
Your school has decided to host the Regional Level Basket Ball Tournament.
Draft a notice for your school notice board in not more than 50 words, inviting
all the school children to attend the tournament and cheer the participants.

VALUE OF GAMES

Games and sports are a necessary part of our life. They are to the body what education is to the
mind. But, no. they are an integral part of education itself.
Those who have not played any games in life should consider their education incomplete. Gandhi
greatly lamented for not having given proper attention to games during his formative years.

Games provide the best physical exercise to a child. They improve our digestive system and make us
strong and smart. In the modern world which is full of struggle, it is very necessary to have a strong
body. One, who is physically weak, is prone to many diseases.

Games make our body elastic. They provide us relaxation and entertainment. They instil into our
minds the spirit of healthy competition, discipline, so” Truman- ship and team-spirit. They teach us to
play for the sake of play and not to feel depressed in the event of defeat.

Poachers killing animals in a wild life sanctuary

Elephants Without Borders (EWB), a non-profit conservation outfit, completed
the Great Elephant Census in 2016 after three long years. A huge pan-African
endeavor by scientists and researchers from all over the globe, and featuring
aerial surveys and rigorous data collection, it managed to build up a solid picture
of the state of the continent's Loxodonta africana population.

This undertaking meant that EWB and its partners have a better grasp on the
situation on the ground than almost anywhere else. That's why when they say the
latest poaching incident is one of the most serious they've ever seen, we should sit
up and take notice.

Most of the 87 slaughtered elephants were killed just a few weeks back, all in
order to harvest their ivory. They were found dead near the famed Okavango
Delta wildlife sanctuary in Botswana, the country
8 with the highest numbers of
African elephants on record.
 Application format.:-

Essential points to Consider while Creating a School Application

There are certain essential features which must be included in the school
application template in order to gather information about the candidates. The
details are mostly filled in by the parents.

 Name of the student.

 The full address of the student including the city, state and zip code.
 Contact number of the parents.
 Emergency contact number of the parents if any.
 Date of birth of the student.
 Type of enrollment required by the candidate. This section may ask the parents to specify the class
in which the student seeks admission.
 Information regarding the parents of the candidate.
 Hobbies and interests of the students.
 Medical conditions of the student if any.
 Special skills of the student.
 Information regarding the rules and regulations of the school.
 Information regarding school timings.
 Information regarding grading system.
 An agreement with the stated terms and conditions statement to be signed by parents.

Dependent on Technology:-

There is no doubt that technology invades almost every aspect of our life now, from how we
communicate, to how we relax, learn, and even receive the news. While certain advances
are generally considered positive, there is a question of whether we are now completely
dependent on technology, and would be able to survive without it. There is worry that being
overly reliant on gadgets could completely transform society as we know it, and that it may
be too late to stop this from happening.

Some people can already point to whole skill sets that are being lost as a result of
technology. Very few people see map-reading as a skill worth learning anymore, as we can
rely on GPS, and nobody tries to calculate anything in their head as everyone has a
calculator on their phone. These were considered vital skills at one point, and are on the
verge of being lost completely.

Another element that bothers people is that the art of conversation could die, as so much
communication is conducted via technology, whether through texting or social media. People
rarely even pick up the phone to make a call any more, meaning that simple speech
communication, not just face to face is at risk.

The main issue that bothers many people is the fact that there is a whole generation of
children who are being raised in such a way that technology fills most of their needs. It’s how
they play, how they learn, how they interact. A tablet
9 is often a babysitter, and a movie has
replaced a bedtime story. Physical development can be stunted or harmed as so many kids
just sit around playing video games all day.
However, despite the points noted above, there is a solid argument that being reliant on
certain aspects of technology isn’t the same as being dependent. As a society we benefit
from accepting and adapting to advances, such as the telephone instead of the letter, and
now instant communication is possible. In situations of emergency, in contacting loved ones
who live far away, this can only be seen as a good thing.

We rely on it more than we rely on skills that used to be important, however being a hunter
and builder used to be important skills, and society hasn’t crumbled as a result of the change
into modernism. People worried TV would wipe out communication initially, and yet family
units and communities have survived. Children have changed their sources of entertainment
over the years, and yet one thing that remains the same is that they still rely on their parents
and families for food, shelter, clothing, and nurture. This instinct isn’t going to be replaced
with technology.

It’s undeniable that certain things have changed with technology, however they’re not
necessarily bad – just different, and our dependence doesn’t have to be debilitating.
Technology covers cars and planes, which is the best method of transport in so many ways,
and many of these advances have led to modern medicine, which most people see as an
advantage. While there is a risk of losing social skills, individuals need to make a choice of
whether or not to spend all of their time in front of a screen or not – it’s not a collective
problem.

PARAGRAPH ON TREES
Trees are Nature‟s bounty. Trees are of many different kinds. There are flowering trees, which bear
blossoms, and non-flowering ones, which do not bloom into flowers. There are evergreen trees, which
stay green through the year. There are also deciduous ones which may shed their leaves during a
particular season annually making their branches turn bare. Trees make landscapes beautiful. Trees
are invaluable to man and terrestrial life forms. Trees maintain ecological balance and equilibrium.
Trees must be protected. The felling of trees must be prevented. Tree plantation activities must be
encouraged to make our environment green, beautiful and healthy.

Trees give us many benefits. Trees are the green cover of the planet. Trees need water, sunshine and
air to grow. The process of photosynthesis that occurs in trees, that helps them grow, uses oxygen and
gives out carbon-dioxide. Thus, they contribute to the oxygen in the air that we need to breathe to stay
alive. They also use up the carbon-dioxide that is present in the air, and thus prevent the accumulation
of the greenhouse gas that leads to global warming and climate change.

Q. Write a letter to your younger brother advising him to

take part in games.

Dear Hitesh
I hope that you are doing well in your studies. There is no doubt that studies are the
most important part of a student's life.
I have come to know that you do not play games. This is not good for a student.
Health is wealth. Without good health you cannot think of higher studies.
Games are a necessary part of education. They1 make us healthy and strong. I
therefore advise you to take part in games and
0 sports.

Yours sincerely
2.
Dear Brother:

I hope this letter finds you in great health and spirits. I

am writing this letter to advise you to play games and outdoor sports regularly. You
must
have heard the famous proverb: ‘A healthy mind lives in a healthy body’. Playing
games and sports is as important as studying. Sports and games are undoubtedly the
building blocks of the health and character of children. Neglecting sports
means serious implications on your health. Playing games and sports is
essential for proper physical growth and development.

Kindly join a health club or sports academy. I want you to

be all-rounder. I appreciate your dedication to studies, but I honestly want
you to be good at everything. I assure you playing sports will enhance
complement your studies. You will enjoy your life more. I hope you will not
neglect games and sports in future. Give warmest regards to mother and father. Love
to 1
you. 1

Your loving brother,

Sonu Sharma

.Personal letter to your father asking

permission for an education tour

Date.

My dear Father,

I received your kind letter the other day. My monthly tests are just over and we
are closing for autumn break next week. I wish very much to be with you all
during the holidays but our school has arranged an educational tour to some of
the historical places of Rajasthan and I do not want to miss the opportunity.

The duration of the tour is ten days. The school has agreed to meet fifty percent of
the expenses and 25 percent will be paid by the State Government. We shall have
to pay the balance which roughly comes to Rs. 250 per head.

Two senior teachers are also accompanying the party. They will explain to us
whatever we see and, therefore, the tour is expected to be of great educational
value. I shall, therefore, request you to allow me to join the trip. Please intimate
your acceptance by return of mail. Please rest assured I shall take the earliest
opportunity to visit you all.

With regards to you and dear mother,

Yours affectionately,

Name.

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 STUDY MATERIAL OF CLASS -VII
SUBJECT - ENGLISH.

Text book- Honeycomb & Alien Hand

Honeycomb Chapter – 01
Three Questions

Question 1. Why did the king want to know answers to three questions?
Solution:
The king wanted to know answers to three questions because of the thought came to his
mind that he would never fail if he knew answers to these three questions.

Question 2. Messengers were sent throughout the kingdom

(i) to fetch wise men.
(ii) to find answers to the questions.
(iii) to look for the wise hermit.
(iv) to announce a reward for those who could answer the questions. Mark your
choice:
Solution:
(v) to announce a reward for those who could answer the questions.

Complete the following sentences by adding the appropriate parts of the sentences given
in the box.
3. Many wise men answered the king‘s questions, .......
4. Someone suggested that there should be a council of wise men ......
5. Someone else suggested that the king should have a timetable ......
6. The king requested the hermit ......
7. The king washed and dressed the bearded man‘s wound, .......
• but the bleeding would not stop.
• to answer three questions.
• but their answers were so varied that the king was not satisfied.
• and follow it strictly.
• to help the king act at the right time.
Solution 1:
Many wise men answered the king‟s questions, but their answers were so varied that the king
was not satisfied.

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Solution 2:
Someone suggested that there should be a council of wise men to help the king act at the
right time.

Solution 3:
Someone else suggested that the king should have a timetable and follow it strictly.

Solution 4:
The king requested the hermit to answer three questions.

Solution 5:
The king washed and dressed the bearded man‟s wound, but the bleeding would not stop.

Working with the text

Answer the following questions.
Question 1. Why was the king advised to go to magicians?
Solution:
In answer to the first question, in order to decide the right time for doing something
urgent one must have to look into the future. Since only magician could do that, the king
was advised to go to magicians.

Question 2. In answer to the second question, whose advice did the people say would
be important to the king?
Solution:
In answers to the second question, some said that the people most necessary to the king
were his councilors, others said, the priests. A few others chose the doctors. And yet others
said that soldiers were the most necessary.

Question 3. What suggestions were made in answer to the third question?

Solution:
In answer to the third question, some said science will be most important. Others
suggested fighting, and some said religious worship.

Question 4. Did the wise men win the reward? If not, why not?
Solution:
No, the wise men did not win the reward. The king got different for all the three questions
he asked. He was not satisfied with any of them.

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Question 5. How did the king and the hermit help the wounded man?
Solution:
The king and the hermit helped the wounded man by providing him the shelter and
protected from the army. The king washed and covered the wound of the man with his
handkerchief, but the blood would not stop flowing. The king re-dressed the wound until it
stopped bleeding. They took him to hut for taking rest and king also gave him fresh water
after being relaxed.

Question 6. (i) Who was the bearded man?

(ix) Why did he ask for the king‘s forgiveness?
Solution:
(ii) Bearded man was the enemy of the king who swore to revenge him for seizing
of his property and putting his brother to death.
(iii) He asked for the king‟s forgiveness as the king had saved his life. He came there
for taking revenge from the king but instead the king helped him to get better.

Question 7. The king forgave the bearded man. What did he do to show his
forgiveness?
Solution:
The king showed his forgiveness by sending his servants and his own doctor to look after
him, and he promised to give back the wounded man his property.

Question 8. What were the hermit‘s answers to the three questions? Write each
answer separately. Which answer do you like most, and why? Solution:

In answer to king‟s first question, the hermit said that there is only one important time
„Now‟. It is the only time when you have power to act. In answer to king‟s second question,
the hermit said that the most important person is the one with whom we are at the present. In
response to king‟s second question, the hermit answered that the most important thing to do
is to do that person good. I like the answer of the first question the most because time has the
supreme power. It can take you to height if you do something good and can also make you
fall on ground if you won; t act in presence. One should live and act according to present.

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Working with language
Question 1. Match items in List A with their meanings in List B. fainted: lost
consciousness
A B
(i) wounded got up from sleep
(ii) awoke give back
(iii) forgive small patches of ground for plants
(iv) faithful severely injured
(v) pity pardon
(vi) beds loyal
(vii) return feel sorry for

Use any three of the above words in sentences of your own. You may change the form of
the word.
Solution:
(ii) wounded: severely injured
(iii) awoke: got up from sleep
(iv) forgive: pardon
(v) faithful: loyal
(vi) pity: feel sorry for
(vii) beds: small patches of ground for plants
(viii) return: give back
I will ask my parents to forgive for my bad behaviour.
Dog is faithful animal of man.
I am feeling pity for my shameful act.

Question 2. Each of the following sentences has two blanks. Fill in the blanks with
appropriate forms of the word given in brackets.
He has ...... to help me. Do you think he will remember his ......... ? (promise)
He has promised to help me. Do you think he will remember his promise?
(i) The ........ said that only fresh evidence would make him change his
........ (judge)
(ii) I didn‘t notice any serious ......... of opinion among the debaters, although they
....... from one another over small points. (differ)
(iii) It‘s a fairly simple question to .......... , but will you accept my .........as final?
(answer)
(iv) It isn‘t ....... that .........should always be the mother of invention. (necessary)
(v) Hermits are ......... men. How they acquire their ........ no one can tell. (wise)
(vi) The committee has .......... to make Jagdish captain of the team. The ......... is
likely to please everyone (decide)
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(viii) Asking for ........ is as noble as willingness to .........
(forgive) Solution:
(iv) The judge said that only fresh evidence would make him change his judgement.
(v) I didn‟t notice any serious difference of opinion among the debaters,
although they differed from one another over small points.
(vi) It‟s a fairly simple question to answer, but will you accept my answer as final?
(vii) It isn‟t necessary that necessity should always be the mother of invention.
(viii) Hermits are wise men. How they acquire their wisdom no one can tell.
(ix) The committee has decided to make Jagdish captain of the team. The decision
is likely to please everyone.
(x) Asking for forgiveness is as noble as willingness to forgive.

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 Honeycomb Chapter – 02
A Gift of Chapels

Comprehension Check
Question 1. What is the secret that Meena shares with Mridu in the backyard?
Solution:
Meena shared the secret that she had seen a kitten in the backyard inside a torn football
lined with sacking and filled with sand. They found him outside the gate in the morning.

Question 2. How does Ravi get milk for the kitten?

Solution:
Ravi took a glass of milk to feed the kitten. When Patti saw him with the glass of milk
milk, he convinced her by saying that he was hungry. Paati got suspicious so Ravi had to
drink most of the milk and told Paati that he would wash the tumbler by himself.
After that, Ravi ran and pour the milk into coconut shell for the kitten and then ran back to
wash the tumbler before Paati got really suspicious.

Question 3. Who does he say the kitten‘s ancestors are? Do you believe him?
Solution:
He said the kitten‟s ancestors was the Mahabalipuram Rishi-Cat, which was the emblem of
the Pallava dynasty and the Mahabalipuram Rishi-Cat was descendants of the cat-goddess
of Egypt.
No, I don't believe him.

Question 4. Ravi has a lot to say about M.P.Poonai. This shows that
(v) he is merely trying to impress Mridu.
(vi) his knowledge of history is sound.
(vii) he has a rich imagination.
(viii) he is an intelligent child.
Which of these statements do you agree/disagree to?
Solution:
agree to these statements.
(vi) his knowledge of history is sound.
(vii) he has a rich imagination.

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Question 5. What was the noise that startled Mridu and frightened Mahendran?
Solution:
The children were discussing about cat, at that moment the sound of kreeching startled
Mridu and frightened Mahendran. It was the sound of Violin that Lalli was learning to play.
As she was not able to play it properly it sounded awful.

Comprehension Check
Question 1. The music master is making lovely music. Read aloud the sentence in the
text that expresses this idea.
Solution:
“The music-master‟s notes seemed to float up and settle perfectly into the invisible tracks of
the melody. It was like the wheels of a train fitting smoothly into the rails and whizzing
along” This sentence in the text that expresses the idea that the music master is making lovely
music which is perfect and can be enjoyed by all.

Question 2. Had the beggar come to Rukku Manni‘s house for the first time? Give
reasons for your answer.
Solution:
No, the beggar had not come to Rukku Manni‟s house for the first time because Paati said to
Tapi that he had been coming to their house every day for the past one week. She also said
that it‟s time to find him another house to beg from! This shows that she knew him.

Question 3. ―A sharp V-shaped line had formed between her eyebrows.‖ What does it
suggest to you about Rukku Manni‘s mood? Solution:

V-shaped eyebrow is formed only when people are in anger. When Rukku Manni came to
know about the missing of the chappal, her eyebrows turned V-shaped .This suggest that
Rukku Manni was very angry in mood when she came to know about the missing chappals
of the music teacher.

Working with the Text

Question 1. Complete the following sentences.

8. Ravi compares Lalli‘s playing the violin to ......
9. Trying to hide beneath the tray of chillies, Mahendran ......
10. The teacher played a few notes on his violin, and Lalli .......
11. The beggar said that the kind ladies of the household ........
12. After the lesson was over, the music teacher asked Lalli if ........

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Solution:
• Ravi compares Lalli‟s playing the violin to derailing of the train going
completely off track.
• Trying to hide beneath the tray of chillies, Mahendran tipped a few chillies
over himself.
• The teacher played a few notes on his violin, and Lalli stumbled behind him
on her violin, which looked quite helpless and unhappy in her hands.
• The beggar said that the kind ladies of the household kept his body and
soul together on their generosity for a whole week. He couldn't believe that
they would turn him away.
• After the lesson was over, the music teacher asked Lalli if she had seen
his chappals.

Question 2. Describe the music teacher, as seen from the window.

Solution:
As seen from the window, music teacher had the bony figure. He had a mostly bald head
with a fringe of oiled black hair falling around his ears and an old-fashioned tuft. A gold
chain gleamed around his leathery neck, and a diamond ring glittered on his hand as it glided
up and down the stem of the violin. A large foot stuck out from beneath his gold- bordered
veshti edge, and he was beating time on the floor with the scrawny big toe.

Question 3. (i) What makes Mridu conclude that the beggar has no money to buy
chappals?
(x) What does she suggest to show her concern?
Solution:
(iv) Mridu concludes that the beggar had no money to buy chappals because his feet
were blistered as he moved on bare feet in the hot summer also.
(v) The kids felt that the beggar should have a pair of slippers.She suggests Mridu and
Ravi about the pair of old slippers so that they could give it to the beggar.

Question 4. ―Have you children...‖ she began, and then, seeing they were curiously
quiet, went on more slowly, ―seen anyone lurking around the verandah?‖
(ix) What do you think Rukku Manni really wanted to ask?
(x) Why did she change her question?
(xi) What did she think had happened?
Solution:
(ix) Rukku Manni actually wanted to ask the children if they had seen the
music master's slippers.
(x) She changed her question because children were curiously quiet and she
suspected that children must have done something mischievous with chappals.
(xi) When she saw the expression of absolute quietness, she thought that the
children must have given the music-master‟s chappals to that old beggar .

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0
Question 5. On getting Gopu Mama‘s chappals, the music teacher tried not to look
too happy. Why?
Solution:
The music teacher tried not to look happy because he did not want to reveal his happiness
of getting new chappals of Gopu Mama to others. He wanted to show that his own chappals
were more expensive and branded one. Actually, he was very happy after getting Gopu
Mama‟s chappals.

Question 6. On getting a gift of chappals, the beggar vanished in a minute. Why was
he in such a hurry to leave?
Solution:
On getting a gift of chappals, the beggar vanished in a minute because he needed them badly
and he did not want to lose the gift of those chappals. His feet were blistered and he couldn't
have got anything better from that house.

Question 7. Walking towards the kitchen with Mridu and Meena, Rukku Manni
began to laugh. What made her laugh?
Solution:
Gopu Mama was always in such a hurry to throw off his shoes and socks and get into his
chappals as soon as he comes home. Rukku Manni began to laugh while thinking about the
reaction of her husband after hearing this incident and when he came to know about that
they had given his new chappals to the music teacher.

Working with Language

Question 1. Read the following sentences.
(xi) If she knows we have a cat, Paati will leave the house.
(xii) She won‘t be so upset if she knows about the poor beggar with sores
on his feet.
(xiii) If the chappals do fit, will you really not mind?
Notice that each sentence consists of two parts. The first part begins with ‗if. It is known
as if clause.
Rewrite each of the following pairs of sentences as a single sentence. Use ‗if‘ at the
beginning of the sentence.
(e) Walk fast. You‘ll catch the bus.
If you walk fast, you‘ll catch the bus.
(f) Don‘t spit on the road. You‘ll be fined. If you spit on the road, you‘ll be
fined.
(v) Don‘t tire yourself now. You won‘t be able to work in the evening.
(vi) Study regularly. You‘ll do well in the examination.
(vii) Work hard. You‘ll pass the examination in the first division.
(viii) Be polite to people. They‘ll also be polite to you.

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1
Solution:
(v) If you tire yourself now, you won't be able to work in the evening.
(vi) If you study regularly, you'll do well in the examination.
(vii) If you work hard, you'll pass the examination in the first division.
(viii) If you are polite to people, they'll also be polite to you.
(ix) If you tease the dog, it'll bite you.

Question 2. Fill in the blanks in the following paragraph.

Today is Sunday. I‘m wondering whether I should stay at home or go out. If I ........ (go)
out, I ...... (miss) the lovely Sunday lunch at home. If I ...... (stay) for lunch, I ........ (miss)
the Sunday film showing at Archana Theatre. I think I‘ll go out and see the film, only to
avoid getting too fat.
Solution:
Today is Sunday. I'm wondering whether I should stay at home or go out. If I go out, I will miss
the lovely Sunday lunch at home. If I stay for lunch, I will miss the Sunday film showing at
Archana Theatre. I think I'll go out and see the film, only to avoid getting too fat.

Question 3. Complete each sentence below by appropriately using any one of the
following: if you want to/if you don‘t want to/if you want him to
(i) Don‘t go to the theatre ......
(ii) He‘ll post your letter .......
(iii) Please use my pen .........
(iv) He‘ll lend you his umbrella .......
(v) My neighbour, Ramesh, will take you to the doctor .......
(vi) Don‘t eat it .......
Solution:
(i) Don't go to the theatre if you don't want to.
(ii) He'll post your letter if you want him to.
(iii) Please use my pen if you want to.
(iv) He'll lend you his umbrella if you want him to.
(v) My neighbour, Ramesh, will take you to the doctor if you want him to.
(vi) Don't eat it if you don't want to.

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 Honeycomb Chapter 03
Gopal and The Hilsa Fish

Working with the Text

Answer the following questions.
Question 1. Why did the king want no more talk about the hilsa-fish?
Solution:
It was the season of Hilsa fish as everyone was busy talking about it. The king was fed of
the talks about Hilsa-fish. More-ever, he did not want his courtiers to waste their time on
these talks which could effect their work.

Question 2. What did the king ask Gopal to do to prove that he was clever?
Solution:
Time and again King used to test Gopal.So this time he asked Gopal to buy a hilsa-fish and
bring it to the palace crossing the bazaar, without anyone asking anything about the fish
throughout the way, to prove that he was clever.

Question 3. What three things did Gopal do before he went to buy his hilsa-fish?
Solution:
Gopal half-shaved his beard, smeared himself with ash, and wore disgraceful rags before he
went to buy his hilsa-fish.

Question 4. How did Gopal get inside the palace to see the king after he had bought
the fish?
Solution:
Gopal bought hilsa from the market and reached the king's palace in such getup.The guards
refuse to open the gate for a mad man as they were unable to recognize him, They did not
allow him to meet the king. Therfore, he began to dance and sing loudly. On hearing his
loud song, the king sent his messenger to call him in the court.

Question 5. Explain why no one seemed to be interested in talking about the hilsa-fish
which Gopal had bought.
Solution:
Gopal funny appearance attracted the attention of people much more than the hilsa- fish. At
that time, no one was caring about the hilsa-fish he was carrying. Everyone was busy in
talking about his mad appearance, half shaved face and rags.

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Question 6. Write ‗True‘ or ‗False‘ against each of the following sentences.
(ix) The king lost his temper easily.
(x) Gopal was a madman.
(xi) Gopal was a clever man.
(xii) Gopal was too poor to afford decent clothes.
(xiii) The king got angry when he was shown to be wrong.
Solution:
(viii) True
(ix) False
(x) True
(xi) False
(xii) False

Working with Language

Question 1. Notice how in a comic book, there are no speech marks when characters
talk. Instead what they say is put in a speech ‗bubble‘. However, if we wish to repeat or
‗report‘ what they say, we must put it into reported speech.
Change the following sentences in the story to reported speech. The first one has been
done for you.
13. How much did you pay for that hilsa?
The woman asked the man how much he had paid for that hilsa.
• Why is your face half-shaven? Gopal‘s wife asked him ......
• I accept the challenge, Your Majesty. Gopal told the king ......
• I want to see the king. Gopal told the guards ......
• Bring the man to me at once. The king ordered the guard ......
Solution:
(xi) Why is your face half-shaven?
Gopal's wife asked him why his face was half-shaven.
(vi) I accept the challenge, Your Majesty. Gopal
told the king that he accepted his challenge.
(vii) I want to see the king.
Gopal told the guards that he wanted to see the king.
(xii) Bring the man to me at once.
The king ordered the guard to bring the man to him at once

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Question 2. Find out the meaning of the following words by looking them up in the
dictionary. Then use them in sentences of your own.
(xii) challenge
(xiii) mystic
(xiv) comical
(xv) courtier
(xvi) smearing
Solution:
(xiv) challenge - ask to contest, dare
The boss challenged Rahul to finish his work before the time.
(g) mystic - believing in spiritual power Some people do believe in the mystic forces.
(h) comical - funny
I liked the comical act of the joker the most.
(ix) courtier - officials of the king's court
Birbal was one of the clever courtier present in Akbar's court.
(x) smearing - to apply coat or mark He smeares his face with ashes.

Question 3. Now ask your partner questions about each picture.

(vii) Where is the stag?
(viii) What is he doing?
(ix) Does he like his antlers (horns)?
(x) Does he like his legs?
(xi) Why is the stag running?
(xii) Is he able to hide in the bushes?
(xiii) Where are the hunters now?
(xiv) Are they closing in on the stag?
(xv) Is the stag free?
(xvi) What does the stag say about his horns and his legs?
Solution:
(vii) Stag is by the side of the pond.
(viii) He is looking at the reflection of his horns and legs in the water.
(ix) Yes, he liked his antlers.
(x) No, he did't liked his legs.
(xi) The stag is running to save his life from the hunters.
(xii) No, he is not able to hide himself in the bushes.
(xiii) The hunters are now beside to him.
(xiv) Yes, they closing in on the stag.
(xv) Yes, the stag is free.
(xvi) The stag said that he was proud of his horns which could have caused his
death and was ashamed of his legs which saved him.

Question 4. Now write the story in your own words.

2 Give it a title.
Solution: 5
―All that glitters is not gold‖.
A stag was once drinking water at a pond. He saw his own reflection in water. He admired
his beautiful horns, but he did not like his thin and ugly legs. Suddenly he saw a group of
hunters running towards him. He ran into the jungle to save himself. His legs soon carried
him far from the hunters. He then tried to hide himself in the bushes but his horns were
caught into the bush. With his best efforts, he was able to free himself. Now he realised
that his ugly legs helped him in saving his life, but his beautiful horns could have caused
his death.

Honeycomb Chapter 04
The Ashes That Made Trees Bloom

Comprehension Check
Question 1. Why did the neighbours kill the dog?
Solution:
The greedy neighbours heard about the good luck brought to the couple by the dog, They got
jealous.they coaxed the dog into their garden, in the hope that he would find a buried treasure
for them. The dog scratched and pawed the ground under a pine tree.
Immediately they started digging the ground but in vain.There they found nothing but a dead
kitten so they became furious at the dog. They beat him to death and flung him into the hole.

Question 2. Mark the right item.

(xiv) The old farmer and his wife loved the dog
(xiii) because it helped them in their day-to-day work.
(xiv) as if it was their own baby.
(xv) as they were kind to all living beings.

14. When the old couple became rich, they

• gave the dog better food.
• invited their greedy neighbours to a feast.
• lived comfortably and were generous towards their poor neighbours.

(iii) The greedy couple borrowed the mill and the mortar to make
(xii) rice pastry and bean sauce.
(xiii) magic ash to win rewards.
(xiv) a pile of gold.

Solution:
(viii) (b) The old farmer and his wife loved the dog as if it was their own baby.
(ix) (c) When the old couple became rich, they 26lived comfortably and were
generous towards their poor neighbours.
(x) (c) The greedy couple borrowed the mill and the mortar to make a pile of gold.
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Working with the Text

Answer the following questions.

Question 1. The old farmer is a kind person. What evidence of his kindness do you
find in the first two paragraphs?
Solution:
The old farmer was a kind person. He and his wife loved their pet dog as their child. They
fed him fish from their own chopsticks and all the boiled rice he wanted. He was patient and
kind to everything that had life and often turned up a sod on purpose to give food to the birds.

Question 2. What did the dog do to lead the farmer to the hidden gold?
Solution:
The dog came running to the farmer and kept on whining and running to and fro till the
farmer followed him. The dog began scratching in the earth. Thinking it was possibly a
buried bone or fish, the farmer struck his hoe in the earth and found the hidden gold. In this
way the dog led the farmer to the hidden gold.

Question 3. (i) How did the spirit of the dog help the farmer first?
(xiii) How did it help him
next? Solution:
(xvii) After the dog‟s death the dog kept helping the farmer.The spirit of the dog asked the
farmer in his dream to cut down the pine tree over his grave and make a mortar for rice
pastry and a mill for bean sauce.
(xviii) The spirit of the dog informed the farmer in his dream that his wicked neighbours had
burnt the hand-mill. He advised him to take the ashes of the mill and sprinkle them on the
withered trees so they would bloom again.

Question 4. Why did the daimio reward the farmer but punish his neighbour for the
same act?
Solution:
The farmer had the magical ashes. He made the old withered cherry tree blossom once again
by sprinkling the ashes. So, the daimio rewarded the farmer for this. When his greedy
neighbour heard about it, he took the ashes and when daimio was passing on the highway, he
threw a handful of ashes over the tree. The tree did not blossom rather wind blew the fine
dust in the noses and eyes of the daimio and his wife. That is why his neighbour was
punished for the same act.

Working with language

Question 1. Read the following conversation. RAVI: What are you doing? MRIDU:
I‘m reading a book.
RAVI: Who wrote it? MRIDU: Ruskin Bond.

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RAVI: Where did you find it? MRIDU: In the library.
Notice that ‗what‘, ‗who‘, ‗where‘, are question words. Questions that require
information begin with question words. Some other question words are ‗when‘,
‗why‘, ‗where‘, ‗which‘ and ‗how‘.
Remember that
(xv) What asks about actions, things, etc.
(xvi) Who asks about people.
(xvii) Which asks about people or things.
(xviii) Where asks about place.
(xix) When asks about time.
(xx) Why asks about reason or purpose.
(xxi) How asks about means, manner or degree.
(xxii) Whose asks about possessions.
Read the following paragraph and frame questions on the italicised phrases.
Anil is in school. I am in school too. Anil is sitting in the left row. He is reading a book.
Anil‘s friend is sitting in the second row. He is sharpening his pencil. The teacher is
writing on the blackboard. Children are writing in their copybooks. Some children
are looking out of the window.
Solution:
(i) Where is Anil?
(j) Where is Anil sitting?
(k) What is he doing?
(l) Where is Anil‟s friend sitting?
(m) What is Anil‟s friend doing?
(n) Who is writing on the blackboard?
(o) What are some children doing?

Question 2. Write appropriate question words in the blank spaces in the following
dialogue.
NEHA: ....... did you get this book? SHEELA: Yesterday morning.
NEHA: ...... is your sister crying? SHEELA: Because she has lost her doll. NEHA ......... room
is this, yours or hers? SHEELA: It‟s ours.
NEHA ........ do you go to school?
SHEELA: We walk to school. It is near by.
Solution:
NEHA: When did you get this book? SHEELA: Yesterday morning.
NEHA: Why is your sister crying? SHEELA: Because she has lost her doll. NEHA: Whose
room is this, yours or hers? SHEELA: It‟s ours.
NEHA: How do you go to school? SHEELA: We walk to school. It is near by.

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Question 3. Fill in the blanks with the words given in the box. how, what, when,
where, which
(x) My friend lost his chemistry book. Now he doesn‘t‘t know ...... to do and ......
to look for it.
(xi) There are so many toys in the shops. Neena can‘t decide ....... one to buy.
(xii) You don‘t know the way to my school. Ask the policeman ........ to get there.
(xiii) You should decide soon ....... to start building your house.
(xiv) Do you know ....... to ride a bicycle? I don‘t remember and I learnt it.
(xv) ―You should know ...... to talk and ....... to keep your mouth shut,‖ the
teacher advised Anil.

Solution:
(xi) My friend lost his chemistry book. Now he doesn‟t know what to do and where
to look for it.
(xii) There are so many toys in the shops. Neena can‟t decide which one to buy.
(xiii) You don‟t know the way to my school. Ask the policeman how to get there.
(xiv) You should decide soon when to start building your house.
(xv) Do you know how to ride a bicycle? I don‟t remember when and where I learnt it.
(xvi) “You should know when to talk and when to keep your mouth shut,” the
teacher advised Anil.

Question 4. Add im- or in- to each of the following words and use them in place of the
italicised words in the sentences given below. Patient,

proper,
possible,
sensitive,
competent
(xvii) The project appears very difficult at first sight but it can be completed if
we work very hard.
(xviii) He lacks competence. That‘s why he can‘t keep any job for more than a year.
(xix) ―Don‘t lose patience. Your letter will come one day,‖ the postman told me.
(xx) That‘s not a proper remark to make under the circumstances.
(xxi) He appears to be without sensitivity. In fact, he is very emotional.
Solution:
(xvii) The project appears impossible at first sight but it can be completed if we
work very hard.
(xviii) He is incompetent. That‟s why he can‟t keep any job for more than a year.
(xix) “Don‟t be impatient. Your letter will come one day,” the postman told me.
(xx) That‟s an improper remark to make under the 3 circumstances.
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(xxi) He appears to be insensitive. In fact, he is very emotional.
Question 5. Read the following sentences.
It was a cold morning and stars still glowed in the sky. An old man was walking
along the road.
The words in italics are articles. ‗A‘ and ‗an‘ are indefinite articles and ‗the‘ is the
definite article. ‗A‘ is used before a singular countable noun. ‗An‘ is used before a word
that begins with a vowel.
• a boy • an actor
• a mango • an apple
• a university • an hour

Use a, an or the in the blanks.

There was once ...... play which became very successful ........ famous actor was acting in
it. In ...... play his role was that of ...... aristocrat who had been imprisoned in ....... castle
for twenty years. In ...... last act of ...... play someone would come on ....... stage with
letter which he would hand over to ...... prisoner. Even though ....... aristocrat was not
expected to read ...... letter at each performance, he always insisted that ....... letter be
written out from beginning to end.
Solution:
There was once a play which became very successful. A famous actor was acting in it. In the
play his role was that of an aristocrat who had been imprisoned in a castle for twenty years. In
the last act of the play someone would come on the stage with a letter which he would hand over
to the prisoner. Even though the aristocrat was not expected to read the letter at each
performance, he always insisted that the letter be written out from beginning to end.

Question 6. Encircle the correct article.

Nina was looking for (a /the) job. After many interviews she got (a/the) job she was
looking for.
A:
Would you like (a/an/the) apple or (a/an/the) banana?
B: I‘d like (a/an/the) apple, please.
A: Take (a/an/the) red one in (a/an/the) fruit bowl. You may take (a/an/the) orange also,
if you like.
B: Which one?
A: (a/an/the) one beside (a/an/the)
banana. Solution:
Nina was looking for a job. After many interviews she got the job she was looking for.
A: Would you like an apple or a banana?
B: I‟d like an apple, please.
A: Take the red one in the fruit bowl. You may take an orange also, if you like.
B: Which one?
A: The one beside the banana.

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 Honeycomb Chapter – 05
Quality

Answer the following questions.

Question 1. What was the author‘s opinion about Mr Gessler as a bootmaker?
Solution:
According to the author, Mr. Gessler was the best bootmaker in the city. He made only what
was ordered and what he made never failed to fit. The boots made by him were mysteriously
wonderful. He was the perfect artist in this job.

Question 2. Why did the author visit the shop so infrequently?

Solution:
The boots made by Mr. Gessler lasted very long, longer than the usual ones.He didn't
want new ones. Therefore, the author visit the shop so infrequently.

Question 3. What was the effect on Mr Gessler of the author‘s remark about a certain
pair of boots?
Solution:
When author remarked about a certain pair of boots as being creaky, Mr Gessler looked at
him as if surprised and waited for some time to let the author withdraw or qualify his
statement. Then he asked the author to get the pair back to let him check and said if he could
not repair them then he would take them off his bill.

Question 4. What was Mr Gessler‘s complaint against ―big firms‖?

Solution:
Mr Gessler‟s complaint against “big firms” was that they got their business by advertisement, not
by good work. They did not have any respect for the work they do. Every year Mr Gessler's sale
was getting less because of them and soon he would be left with no job.

Question 5. Why did the author order so many pairs of boots? Did he really need
them?
Solution:
The author was shocked, and filled with sorrow, by the news of the death of Mr Gessler‟s
elder brother. Out of pity and with an intention to help him, the author ordered so many
pairs of boots.
No, he didn't really need them.

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Working with Language
Question 1. Study the following phrases and their meanings. Use them appropriately
to complete the sentences that follow.
look after: take care of
look down on: disapprove or regard as inferior
look in (on someone): make a short visit
look into: investigate
look out: be careful
look up: improve
look up to: admire
(xv) After a very long spell of heat, the weather is ....... at last.
(xvi) We have no right to ........ people who do small jobs.
(xvii) Nitin has always .......... his uncle, who is a self-made man.
(xviii) The police are ......... the matter thoroughly.
(xix) If you want to go out, I will ........ the children for you.
(xx) I promise to ....... on your brother when I visit Lucknow next.
(xxi) when you are crossing the main road.

Solution:
(xvi) After a very long spell of heat, the weather is looking up at last.
(xvii) We have no right to look down on people who do small jobs.
(xviii) Nitin has always looked up to his uncle, who is a self-made man.
(xix) The police are looking into the matter thoroughly.
(xx) If you want to go out, I will look after the children for you.
(xxi) I promise to look in on your brother when I visit Lucknow next.
(xxii) Look out when you are crossing the main road.

Question 2. Each of the following words contains the sound ‗sh‘ (as in shine) in the
beginning or in the middle or at the end. First speak out all the words clearly. Then
arrange the words in three groups in the table on page 80.
sheep trash marsh fashion
anxious shriek shore fish
portion ashes sure nation
shoe pushing polish moustache

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Solution:
Initial Medial Final
Sheep fashion trash
shriek portion marsh
shore ashes anxious
sure nation fish
shoe pushing polish
moustache

Question 3. In each of the following words ‗ch‘ represents the same consonant sound
as in ‗chair‘. The words on the left have this sound initially. Those on the right have it
finally. Speak each word clearly.
choose bench
child march
cheese peach
chair wretch
charming research

Underline the letters representing this sound in each of the following words.
(i) feature (iv) reaching (vii) riches
(ii) archery (v) nature (viii) batch
(iii) picture (vi) matches (ix) church

Solution:
15. Feature
16. Archery
17. Picture
18. Reaching
19. Nature
20. Matches
21. Riches
22. Batch
23. Church

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 Honeycomb Chapter – 06
Expert Detectives

Comprehension Check
Question 1. What did Nishad give Mr Nath? Why?
Solution:
Nishad gave a bar of chocolate to Mr. Nath. He thought that Mr. Nath was poor and starving.

Question 2. What is ―strange‖ about Mr Nath‘s Sundays?

Solution:
On every Sunday, Mr. Nath eats lunch with a tall, fair, stout man wearing spectacles in his
room who talks a lot, unlike Mr. Nath.

Question 3. Why did Nishad and Maya get a holiday?

Solution:
The monsoon broke and there was heavy rain that flooded the streets. As no traffic
could move through the flooded roads, Nishad and Maya got an unexpected holiday.

Working with the Text

Question 1. What does Nishad find out about Mr Nath from Ramesh? Arrange the
information as suggested below.

 What he eats

 When he eats

 What he drinks, and when
 How he pays

Solution:
Nishad finds out from Ramesh that Mr. Nath took two meals in a day every morning and
evening. He was not particular about what he eats, it‟s always the same food - two
chapattis, some dal and a vegetable. He drank two cups of tea, one in the morning and one
in the afternoon. He pays cash and tips well.

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Question 2. Why does Maya think Mr Nath is a crook? Who does she say the Sunday
visitor is?
Solution:
Maya thought that Mr. Nath was a crook because of his strange appearance and the fact that
he did not work. He never talked to anyone at Shankar House though he had been living there
for more than a year. He had scars on his face which according to Maya, must have been the
burn scars which would have got when police had set his house on fire. Moreover, he didn‟t
receive any letters and had only one visitor to visit him.
She said that the Sunday visitor must be his accomplice in crime and he came every now
and then to give part of the loot to his partner.

Question 3. Does Nishad agree with Maya about Mr Nath? How does he feel about
him?
Solution:
No, Nishad didn‟t agree with Maya about Mr. Nath. He argued with Maya that he can‟t be a
bad man if he gave Ramesh such generous tips.He felt that he must be lonely and wanted to
have friends. He thinks that he was not a criminal because he was so thin and looked poor
and starving.

Working with Language

Question 1. The word ‗tip‘ has only three letters but many meanings. Match the word
with its meanings below.
(i) fingertips be about to say something
(ii) the tip of yournose make the boatoverturn
(iii) tip the water out of the ends of one‟s fingers the bucket
(iv) have something on give a rupee to him, the tip of your tongue to thank him
(v) tip the boat over empty a bucket by tilting it
(vi) tip him a rupee the pointed end of your nose
(vii) the tip of the bat if you take this advice
(viii) the police were the bat lightly touched tipped off the ball
(ix) if you take my tip the end of the bat
(x) the bat tipped the ball the police were told, or warned

Solution:
(xxiii) finger tips - the ends of one‟s fingers
(xxiv) the tip of your nose - the pointed end of your nose
(xxv) tip the water out of the bucket - empty a bucket by tilting it
(xxvi) have something on the tip of your tongue - be about to say something

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24. tip the boat over - make the boat overturn
25. tip him a rupee - give a rupee to him, to thank him
26. the tip of the bat - the end of the bat
27. the police were tipped of - the police were told, or warned
28. if you take my tip - if you take this advice
29. the bat tipped the ball - the bat lightly touched the ball

Question 2. The words helper, companion, partner and accomplice have very similar
meanings, but each word is typically used in certain phrases. Can you fill in the blanks
below with the most commonly used words? A dictionary may help you.
• business ......
• my ....... on the journey
• I‟m mother‟s little ........
• a faithful ........ such as a dog
• the thief‟s .......
• find a good ......
• tennis/ golf / bridge ......
• his ........ in his criminal activities
Solution:
(xv) business partner
(xvi) my companion on the journey
(xvii) I‟m mother‟s little helper
(xviii) a faithful companion such as a dog
(xix) the thief‟s accomplice
(xx) find a good helper
(xxi) tennis/golf/bridge partner
(xxii) his accomplice in his criminal activities

Question 3. Now let us look at the uses of the word break. Match the word with its
meanings below. Try to find at least three other ways in which to use the word.
(i) The stormbroke could not speak; was too sad to speak
(ii) daybreak this kind of weather ended
(iii) His voice is beginning it began or burst to break into activity
(iv) Her voice broke and the beginning of daylight she cried
(v) The heat wave broke changing as he grows up
(vi) broke the bad news end it by making the workers submit
(vii) break a strike gently told someone the bad news

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Solution:
(i) The storm broke it began or burst into activity
(ii) daybreak the beginning of daylight
(iii) His voice is beginning to break changing as he grows up
(iv) Her voice broke and she cried could not speak; was too sad to speak
(v) The heat wave broke this kind of weather ended
(vi) broke the bad news gently told someone the bad news
(vii) break a strike end it by making the workers submit

Break the silence - means to end the silence by creating a sound.

Breaking news - means the latest news that has enough importance to become a headline.
break one‟s heart - means to cause grief or misery to someone .

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 Honeycomb Chapter – 07
The Inventions of Vita Wonk

Question 1. Choose the right answer.

(xxvi) Mr Willy Wonka is (a) a cook, (b) an inventor, (c) a manager.
(xxvii) Wonka-Vite makes people (a) older, (b) younger.
(xxviii)Mr Wonka wants to invent a new thing which will make people
younger,
older.
Solution:
(xxvii) Mr Willy Wonka is an inventor.
(xxviii)Wonka-Vite makes people younger.
(xxix) Mr Wonka wants to invent a new thing which will make people older.

Question 2. Can anyone‘s age be a minus number? What does ―minus 87‖ mean?
Solution:
No. No one‟s age can be a minus number. Here, “minus 87” means that the person has to wait
eighty seven years before he can come back.

Question 3. Mr Wonka begins by asking himself two questions. What are they?
(i) What is ?
(ii) What lives ?
Solution:
30. What is the oldest living thing in the world?
31. What lives longer than anything else?

Question 1. (i) What trees does Mr Wonka mention? Which tree does he say lives the
longest?
• How long does this tree live? Where can you find
it? Solution:
(xxiii) The trees that Mr Wonka mentions are the Douglas fir, the oak, the cedar, and
the Bristlecone pine. He says that the Bristlecone pine lives the longest.
(xxiv) This tree lives for over 4000 years. It can be found upon the slopes of
Wheeler Peak in Nevada, U.S.A.

Question 2. How many of the oldest living things can you remember from
Mr Wonka‘s list? (Don‘t look back at the story!) Do you think all these things
really exist, or are some of them purely imaginary?
3 Solution:
9
Write the names of the oldest living things you remember from Mr Wonka‟s list yourself.
With the exception of the 4000-year-old Bristlecone pine, most of the things mentioned in
Mr Wonka‟s list are purely imaginary.
Question 3. Why does Mr Wonka collect items from the oldest things? Do you think
this is the right way to begin his invention?
Solution:
Mr Wonka collected items from the oldest living things because he wanted to create age; he
wanted to invent something that would make people older. It was probably the right way to
begin his invention as he wanted to make people older and therefore, the use of old things
seems appropriate.

Question 4. What happens to the volunteer who swallows four drops of the new
invention? What is the name of the invention?
Solution:
The moment the volunteer swallows four drops of the new invention, he begins wrinkling and
shrivelling up all over. His hair starts dropping off and his teeth start falling out. Before Mr
Wonka knew it, the volunteer suddenly becomes an old man of seventy-five. The name of the
invention was Vita-Wonk.

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Question 2. Fill in the blanks in the recipe given below with from the box. shred,
Cooker, times, tomatoes, half, onion, oil
Easy Palak-Dal INGREDIENTS
(xi) One
(xii) One cup dal
(xiii) Two thin green chillies
(xiv) a teaspoon red chilli powder
(xv) Eight small bunches of palak
(xvi) Two
(xvii) Salt to taste
Wash and cut the vegetables; the palak. Put everything in a pressure Let the
cooker whistle three then switch it off. Fry a few cumin seeds in and add to the
palak-dal.
Solution:
Easy Palak-Dal INGREDIENTS
(xiv) One onion
(xv) One cup dal
(xvi) Two thin green chillies
(xvii) Half a teaspoon red chilli powder
(xviii) Eight small bunches of palak
(xix) Two tomatoes
(xx) Salttotaste
Wash and cut the vegetables; shred the palak. Put everything in a pressure cooker. Let the cooker
whistle three times, then switch it off. Fry a few cumin seeds in oil and add to the palak-dal.

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 Honeycomb Chapter – 08
Fire - Friend and Foe

Comprehension Check
Question 1. Mark the correct answer in each of the following.
(xxix) Early man was frightened of
(xxx) lightning and volcanoes.
(xxxi) the damage caused by them.
(xxxii) fire.

32. (a) Fire is energy.

33. Fire is heat and light.
34. Fire is the result of a chemical
reaction. Solution:
• (c) fire.
• (c) Fire is the result of a chemical reaction.

Question 2. From the boxes given below choose the one with the correct order of the
following sentences.
(xxv) That is fire.
(xxvi) A chemical reaction takes place.
(xxvii) Energy in the form of heat and light is released.
(xxviii)Oxygen combines with carbon and hydrogen.
(xviii) (ii) (iii) (iv)
(xix) (iii) (i) (iv)
(xx) (iv) (iii) (ii) (i)
(xxi) (iv) (ii) (iii) (i)
Solution:
(xxi) (ii) (iii) (i)

Working with the Text

Answer the following questions.

Question 1. What do you understand by the ‗flash point‘ of a fuel?
Solution:
The particular temperature at which a fuel begins to burn, upon heating is called the 'flash
point' of the fuel.

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Question 2. (i) What are some common uses of fire?
(xix) In what sense is it a ―bad master‖?
Solution:
(xxiii) Fire is commonly used to cook food, to warm our homes in winter and
to generate electricity.
(xxiv) Fire is “a bad master” when it gets out of control as it becomes dangerous
and causes destruction of life and property. It burns and destroys everything
that comes in contact with it.

Question 3. Match items in Column A with those in Column B.

A B
(i) fuel lighted matchstick
(ii) oxygen air
(iii) heat coal
burning coal
wood
smouldering paper
cooking gas

Solution:
a. fuel coal, wood, cooking gas
b. oxygen air
c. heat lighted match stick, burning coal, smouldering paper

Question 4. What are the three main ways in which a fire can be controlled or put
out?
Solution:
A fire can be controlled or put out by removing one of the three things that are required to
cause it.
(p) Take away the fuel. If the fire has no fuel to feed on, no burning can take place.
(q) Prevent oxygen from reaching the fire. It will instantly stop.
(r) Bring down the temperature of the fuel below 'flash point'.

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Question 5. Match the items in Box A with those in Box B
A B
 it absorbs heat from the burning
(i) To burn paper or a piece of wood,
material and
(ii) Small fires can be put out  lowers thetemperature.
(iii) When water is spread on fire,  reduces the risk of fire.
(iv) A carbon dioxide extinguisher is the best thing  with a damp blanket.
(v) Space left between buildings  we heat it before it catches fire.
 toput out an electrical fire.

Solution:
(i) To burn paper or a piece of wood we heat it before it catches fire.
(ii) Small fire can be put out with a damp blanket.
it absorb the heat from the burning
(iii) When water is spread on fire
material and lowers the temperature.
(iv) A carbon dioxide extinguisher is
to put out an electrical fire.
the best thing
(v) Space left between buildings reduces the risk of fire.

Question 6. Why does a burning candle go out when you blow on it?
Solution:
When we blow on a burning candle, the hot air around the candle is replaced by coldair and
it brings down the temperature of the candle below the flash point. So, the candle goes out,
as no fuel can burn below its flash point.

Question 7. Spraying water is not a good way of putting out an oil fire or an electrical
fire. Why not?
Solution:
If water is sprayed onto an oil fire, the oil will float on the water and will continue to burn.
This can be very dangerous because water can flow quickly, carrying the burning oil with it
and the fire will spread. Similarly, when water is sprayed on an electrical fire, the water
conducts current and the person might receive an electric shock and be killed.

Question 8. What are some of the things you should do to prevent a fire at home and in
the school?
Solution: 4
Some of the things we should do to prevent a fire4at home and in the school:
(xvi) We should stay alert while dealing with inflammable substances and handle
them with care.
(xvii) There is always a possibility of fire in old buildings due to short circuits.
Therefore, over loaded wires should be replaced with new ones and the
fuse should be checked regularly.
(xviii) By creating awareness among the people regarding the handling of fuels, their
flash points and their storage.Do not store inflammable or combustible things
like kerosene and petrol at home or in schools.
(xix) Fire extinguisher should be installed and old wiring must be replaced.
(xx) Keep the contact number of fire brigade and police on speed dial in case a
little accident happens.
(xxi) (v) Never take any accidental fire lightly as it may lead to greater one.

Working with Language

Question 1. Read the following sentences.

To burn paper or a piece of wood, we heat it before it catches fire. We generally do it
witha lighted match. Every fuel has a particular temperature at which it burns.
The verbs in italics are in the simple present tense. When we use it, we are not thinking
only about the present. We use it to say that something happens all the time or
repeatedly, or that something is true in general.
Find ten examples of verbs in the simple present tense in the text ‗Fire: Friend and
Foe‘ and write them down here. Do not include any passive verbs. Solution:

Know, Combines, bursts, Comes, Catches, Blow, Absorbs, Means, Allow, Lowers, Stops,
Cuts, Burns

Question 2. Fill in the blanks in the sentences below with words from the box. You
may use a word more than once.
Carbon, cause, fire, smother
(xxii) Gandhiji‘s life was devoted to the ..... of justice and fair play.
(xxiii) Have you insured your house against ...... ?
(xxiv) Diamond is nothing but ........in its pure form.
(xxv) If you put too much coal on the fire at once you will ........ it.
(xxvi) Smoking is said to be the main ....... of heart disease.
(xxvii) When asked by an ambitious writer whether he should put some ........ into
his stories, Somerset Maugham murmured, ―No, the other way round‖.
(xxviii)She is a ........ copy of her mother.
(xxix) It is often difficult to ....... a yawn when you listen to a long speech on the
value of time.
Solution:
(xxii) Gandhiji's life was devoted to the cause of justice and fair play.
(xxiii) Have you insured your house against fire?
(xxiv) Diamond is nothing but carbon in its pure from.
(xxv) If you put to much coal on the fire at once you
4 will smother it.
5
(xxvi) Smoking is said to be the main cause of heart disease.
C: When asked by an ambitious writer whether he should put some fire into
his stories, Somerset Maugham murmured, "No, the other way round".
D: She is a carbon copy of her mother.
E: It is often difficult to smother a yawn when you listen to as long speech on
the value of time.

Question 3. One word is italicised in each sentence. Find its opposite in the box and
fill in the blanks.
Spending, shut, destroy, subtract, increase
(i) You were required to keep all the doors open, not ......
(ii) PUPIL: What mark did I get in yesterday‘s Maths test?
TEACHER: You got what you get when you add five and five and ........ten from the
total.
B: Run four kilometres a day to preserve your health. Run a lot more to ........ it.
C: If a doctor advises a lean and lanky patient to reduce his weight further,
be sure he is doing it to ........ his income.
D: The world is too much with us; late and soon, Getting and ....... we lay
waste our powers.

WORDSWORTH

Solution:
C: You were required to keep all the doors open, not shut.
D: Pupil: What mark did I get in yesterday's Maths test?
Teacher: You got what you get when you add five and five and subtract ten from the total.
C: Run four kilometres a day to preserve your health Run a lot to destroy it.
D: If a doctor advises a lean and lanky patient to reduce his weight further, be
sure he is doing it to increase his income.
E: The world is too much with us; late and soon. Getting and spending we lay
waste our powers.

WORDSWORTH

Question 4. Use the words given in the box to fill in the blanks in the sentences below.
Across, along, past, through
B: The cat chased the mouse ....... the lawn.
C: We were not allowed to cross the frontier. So we drove ....... it as far as
we could and came back happy.
D: The horse went ....... the winning post and had to be stopped with difficulty.
E: It is not difficult to see ........ your plan. Anyone can see your motive.
F: Go ........ the yellow line, then turn left. You will reach the post office in
five minutes.

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Solution:
(i) The cat chased the mouse across the lawn.
(ii) We were not allowed to cross the frontier. So we drove along it as far we
could an came back happy.
(iii) The horse went past the winning post and had to be stopped with difficulty.
(iv) It is not difficult to see through your plan. Anyone can see your motive.
(v) Go along the yellow line, then turn left. You will reach the post office in
five minutes.

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 Honeycomb Chapter – 09
A Bicycle in Good Repair

Comprehension Check
Question 1. ―I got up early, for me.‖ It implies that
(xxx) he was an early riser.
(xxxi) he was a late riser.
(xxxii) he got up late that morning. Mark the correct
answer. Solution:
It implies that (ii) he was a late riser.

Question 2. The bicycle ―goes easily enough in the morning and a little stiffly after
lunch.‖ The remark is.
(xxxiii)humorous.
(xxxiv) inaccurate.
(xxxv) sarcastic.
(xxxvi) enjoyable.
(xxxvii) meaningless. Mark your
choice(s). Solution:
The remark is (i) humorous, (iii) sarcastic and (iv) enjoyable.

Question 3. The friend shook the bicycle violently. Find two or three sentences in the
text which express the author‘s disapproval of it. Solution:

35. “Don‟t do that; you‟ll hurt it.”

36. I did not see why he should shake it; it had not done anything to him.
37. I felt much as I should had he started whacking my dog.

Question 4. ―...if not, it would make a serious difference to the machine.‖ What does
‗it‘ refer to?
Solution:
It' refers to the loss of the little balls bearing of the wheel that had rolled all over the
path when the man had unscrewed something in the front wheel.

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Working with the Text
Answer the following questions.
Question 1. Did the front wheel really wobble? What is your opinion? Give a reason
for your answer.
Solution:
No, the front wheel didn't really wobble. The author himself says that it didn‟t wobble.
The man was just trying to prove that he knew about bicycles to create an impression.

Question 2. In what condition did the author find the bicycle when he returned from
the tool shed?
Solution:
When author returned from the tool shed, he found that the man had removed the front
wheel of his bicycle and was twiddling it round between his fingers. The rest of the machine
lay on the gravel path beside him.

Question 3. ―Nothing is easier than taking off the gear-case.‖ Comment on or

continue this sentence in the light of what actually happens. Solution:

The man was trying to show himself off as a knowledgeable person in terms of bicycle repair.
This sentence was said by the man to show his confidence in himself in terms of bicycle
repair. Though the narrator tried to tell him(the man) that his friend had suggested him never
to try to repair a bike with problem in the gear-case as buying a new bike would be cheaper,
but the man was adamant to do so, mocking the narrator's friend's abilities and understanding
about bicycles. Ultimately, the man had split the gear- case into two and continued to mess
with the narrator's bicycle.

Question 4. What special treatment did the chain receive?

Solution:
First, the lunatic man tightened the chain till it did not move and after that he loosened it until
it was twice as loose as it was before.

Question 5. The friend has two qualities — he knows what he is doing and is
absolutely sure it is good. Find the two phrases in the text which mean the
same. Solution:
cheery confidence
inexplicable hopefulness

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Question 6. Describe ‗the fight‘ between the man and the machine. Find the relevant
sentences in the text and write them.
Solution:
The man tried to put all the removed parts of the bicycle back to their normal position. For
this he would sometimes climb up on the bike from any of possible directions and sometimes
would lie under it, to mend it. This continuous replacement of the position of the bike and the
man has been appropriately described as 'the fight'.
The sentences that describe 'the fight' are -One moment the bicycle would be on the gravel
path, and he on top of it. Next moment, the position would be reversed, he on the gravel path,
the bicycle on him. Now he would be standing flushed with victory, the bicycle firmly fixed
between his legs. But his triumph would be short-lived. After being dirty and dishevelled, cut
and bleeding 'the fight between the man and the machine was over. The bicycle looked as if
it also had had enough of it.

Working with Language

Question 1. Read the following sentences.


 We should go for a long bicycle ride.

 I ought to have been firm.

 We mustn‟t lose any of them.
 I suggested that he should hold the fork, and that I should handle the wheel.

The words in italics are modal auxiliaries. Modal auxiliaries are used with verbs to
express notions such as possibility, permission, willingness, obligation, necessity,
etc. ‗Should,‘ ‗must‘ and ‗ought to‘ generally express moral obligation, necessity
and desirability.

Look at the following.


 We should go on a holiday. (suggestion: It is a good idea for us to go on a holiday.)
 He is not too well these days. He must see a doctor before he becomes worse.
(compulsion or necessity: It is absolutely essential or necessary for him to see a doctor.) 
 You ought to listen to me. I am well over a decade older than you. (more emphatic
than
„should‟: Since I am older than you, it is advisable that you listen to me.)
Note: ‗Should‘ and ‗ought to‘ are often used interchangeably.

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Rewrite each of the following sentences using should/ought to/must in place of the
italicised words. Make other changes wherever necessary.
(xxii) You are obliged to do your duty irrespective of consequences.
(xxiii) You will do well to study at least for an hour every day.
(xxiv) The doctor says it is necessary for her to sleep eight hours every night.
(xxv) It is right that you show respect towards elders and affection towards youngsters.
(xxvi) If you want to stay healthy, exercise regularly.
(xxvii) It is good for you to take a walk every morning.
(xxviii)It is strongly advised that you don‟t stand on your head.
(xxix) As he has a cold, it is better for him to go to bed.

Solution:
(xxii) You must do your duty irrespective of consequences.
(xxiii) You should study at least for an hour everyday.
(xxiv) The doctor says she must sleep eight hours every night.
(xxv) You should show respect towards elders and affection towards youngsters.
(xxvi) You ought to exercise regularly to stay fit.
(xxvii) You should take a walk every morning.
(xxviii)You ought not stand on your head.
(xxix) As he has a cold, he should go to bed.

Question 2. Use should/must/ought to appropriately in the following sentences.

(xx) People who live in glass houses ........not throw stones.
(xxi) You ....... wipe your feet before coming into the house, especially during
the rains.
(xxii) You .......... do what the teacher tells you.
(xxiii) The pupils were told that they ........ write more neatly.
(xxiv) Sign in front of a park: You ........ not walk on the grass.
(xxv) You ....... be ashamed of yourself having made such a remark.
(xxvi) He ....... left home at 9 o‘clock. He be here any minute.
(xxvii) ―Whatever happened to the chocolate cake?‖ ―How ....... I know? I have
just arrived.‖

Solution:
(xxv) People who live in glass houses should not throw stones. (suggestion)
(xxvi) You shouldwipe your feet before coming into the house, especially during
the rains. ( suggestion).
(xxvii) You ought todo what the teacher tells you. (more emphatic advice)
(xxviii)The pupils were told that they should write more neatly.(suggestion)
(xxix) Sign in front of a park: You must not walk on the grass. ( compulsion)

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(s) You should be ashamed of yourself having made such a remark.
(t) He left home at 9 o'clock. He should be here any minute.
(u) “Whatever happened to the chocolate cake?” “How should I know? I have
just arrived.”

Question 3. Two or more single sentences can be combined to form a single sentence.
Read the following.
I made an effort, and was pleased with myself.
This sentence is in fact a combination of two sentences.

 I made an effort.
 I was pleased with myself.

Now read this sentence.

I did not see why he should shake it.
This is also a combination of two sentences.

 I did not see (it).
 Why should he shake it?

Divide each of the following sentences into its parts. Write meaningful parts. If
necessary, supply a word or two to make each part meaningful.
(xxx) I went to the tool shed to see what I could find. (3 parts)
(xxxi) When I came back he was sitting on the ground. (2 parts)
(xxxii) We may as well see what‘s the matter with it, now it is out. (3 parts)
(xxxiii)He said he hoped we had got them all. (3 parts)
(xxxiv) I had to confess he was right. (2 parts)

Solution:
(xxvii) I went to the tool shed to see what I could find. (3 parts)
F: I went to the tool shed.
G: I went (there) to see (the tools).
H: What (tool) I could find?

E: When I came back he was sitting on the ground. (2 parts)

E: I came back.
F: He was sitting on the ground.

F: We may as well see what‟s the matter with it, now it is out. (3 parts)
G: We may as well see (it).
H: What (is) the matter with it?
I: It is out now.

(vi) He said he hoped we had got them all. (3 parts)

(a) He said (these words). 5
2
(b) He hoped.
(c) We had got them all.

(v) I had to confess he was right. (2 parts)

(a) I had to confess (it).
(b) He was right.

Question 4. ‗en‘ acts as a prefix (put at the beginning) or as a suffix (put at the end) to
form new words.
en + courage = encourage weak + en = weaken
‗en‘ at the beginning or at the end of a word is not always a prefix or a suffix. It is then
an integral part of the word.
Ending, barren
(i) Now arrange the words given in the box under the three headings — prefix, suffix
and part of the word.

encourage dampen listen

barren endanger soften
fasten enclose weaken
even enable enclave

Solution:
en (prefix) en (suffix) en (part of word)
encourage Fasten barren
endanger Dampen even
enclose soften listen
enable enclave

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 Honeycomb Chapter – 10
The Story of Cricket

Comprehension Check
Question 1. Cricket is originally a/an
(xxxiii)Indian game.
(xxxiv) British game.
(xxxv) International game. Mark the right
answer. Solution:
(xxxviii) is correct. Cricket is originally a British game.

Question 2. ―There is a historical reason behind both these oddities.‖ In the preceding
two paragraphs, find two words/phrases that mean the same as ‗oddities‘.
Solution:
Peculiarities and Curious characteristic mean the same as „oddities‟.

Question 3. How is a cricket bat different from a hockey stick?

Solution:
Earlier there was only a very slight difference between a cricket bat and a hockey stick. Now,
a hockey stick is made of single piece of wood and curved at the bottom while a cricket bat is
flat and straight and made up of two pieces, the blade and the handle.

Comprehension Check
Write True or False against each of the following sentences.
38. India joined the world of Test cricket before Independence.
39. The colonizers did nothing to encourage the Parsis in playing cricket.
40. Palwankar Baloo was India‘s first Test captain.
41. Australia played its first Test against England as a sovereign
nation. Solution:
• True (ii) True
(xxxii) False (iv) False

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Comprehension Check
Question 1. A ‗professional‘ cricket player is one who makes a living by playing
cricket. Find the opposite of ‗professional‘ in the last paragraph. Solution:

Amateur

Question 2. In ―the triumph of the one-day game‖, ‗triumph‘ means the one-day
game‘s
(xxx) superiority to Test cricket.
(xxxi) inferiority to Test cricket.
(xxxii) achievement and success over Test cricket.
(xxxiii)popularity among viewers. Mark the right
answer. Solution:
(xxx) popularity among viewers.

Question 3. ―...the men for whom the world is a stage‖.

(xxviii)It refers to the famous cricket fields in the world.
(xxix) It means that there are many cricket playing countries in the world.
(xxx) It implies that cricketers are like actors and every cricket ground is like
a stage on which the drama of cricket is enacted the world over.
Mark the right answer.
Solution:
(xxx) It implies that cricketers are like actors and every cricket ground is like a stage on
which the drama of cricket is enacted the world over.

Working with the Text

Question 1. Name some stick-and-ball games that you have witnessed or heard of.
Solution:
Hockey, Cricket, Baseball, Polo, Billiards are a few games.

Question 2. The Parsis were the first Indian community to take to cricket. Why?
Solution:
The Parsis were the first Indian community to take to cricket as they were in close contact
with the British because of their interest in trade and the first Indian community to
westernize.

Question 3. The rivalry between the Parsis and the Bombay Gymkhana had a happy
ending for the former. What does ‗a happy ending‘ refer to? Solution:

The „happy ending‟ refers to the victory of the Parsi team over the Bombay Gymkhana in a
game of cricket in 1889.

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Question 4. Do you think cricket owes its present popularity to television? Justify
your answer.
Solution:
Definitely, cricket owes its present popularity to television. Television allowed it to reach
each and every home, widening its circle of spectators and spreading its popularity to
different countries all over the world. Television also enabled it to reach far and wide even
in small towns and villages through the local broadcasting services.

Question 5. Why has cricket a large viewership in India, not in China or Russia?
Solution:
Cricket is a British sport which gained popularity mostly in the colonial countries of British
empire. India was a part of the British empire but China or Russia were not. Therefore,
cricket has large viewership in India compared to China or Russia. Moreover, TV
companies have created a global market for cricket in India.

Question 6. What do you understand by the game‘s (cricket) ‗equipment‘?

Solution:
The things which are necessary for playing the game are game‟s (cricket) „equipment‟. Like
in cricket, ball, bat, wicket, helmets, gloves, pads are the required things to play the game.

Question 7. How is Test cricket a unique game in many ways?

Solution:
Test Game is unique for its length of play (5-day long game) and still it can end in a draw. No
other modern team sport takes even half as much time to complete. The other unique feature
of the game is that the size and shape of the ground can vary, only the pitch- length is
specifically fixed

Question 8. How is cricket different from other team games?

Solution:
Cricket is different from other team games because it goes on for a longer time than any
other games. It also has many different formats like Test Cricket, One-day International and
T-20 match and each game takes different time to get completed. Another a strange feature of
Cricket is the play ground that it can be of any size, only the length of the pitch is specified
while in other games the dimensions of the playing area is specified

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Question 9. How have advances in technology affected the game of cricket?
Solution:
Influenced by the advances in technology, the players have started wearing more protective
equipment. The invention of vulcanized rubber has introduced protective pads and gloves.
The synthetic light weight material, along with metals has helped the players to get better
helmets. Satellites have helped in increasing the popularity and viewership of cricket
matches far and wide. Technology has also helped in taking fair decisions during the game.

Question 10. Explain how cricket changed with changing times and yet remained
unchanged in some ways.
Solution:
With time, technology has advanced and in terms of game equipment the game of cricket,
too has seen a few changes. The players have started wearing protective equipment made up
of synthetic light weight material. But still, both bat and ball are handmade, not industrially
manufactured. Although now the bat, that was made out of one piece earlier, has a separate
blade and handle. The modern cricket has many new formats, like the T 20, but the basic
rules of the game are still the same. The popularity of the game has increased many folds.
Decisions have became more fair with motion sensor cameras.

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Question 2. Add -ly to the italicised word in each sentence. Rewrite the sentence using
the new word. See the examples first.
(xix) He runs between wickets as if his legs were stiff. He runs between wickets stiffly.
(xx) Why did the batsman swing the bat in such a violent manner? Why did the
batsman
swing the bat so violently?
(xxiv) It is obvious that the work has not been done in a proper way.
It is obvious that the work has not been done properly.
(xxv) He made the statement in a firm manner.
He made the statement firmly.
(xxvi) The job can be completed within a week in an easy way.
The job can be completed within a week easily.
(xxvii) You did not play in a serious manner, or else you would have won the match.
You did not play seriously, or else you would have won the match.
(xxviii)She recited the poem in a cheerful manner.
She recited the poem cheerfully.

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Question 3. Use the following phrases appropriately in place of the italicised words in
the sentences given below.

as a matter of fact we had better

see to it by accident as well

(xxxv) Actually, I didn‟t intend to come to your place. I reached here without planning.
Actually, I didn‟t intend to come to your place. I reached here by accident.
(xxxvi) Sunil, there‟s a letter for you in today‟s post. There‟s one for me also.
Sunil, there‟s a letter for you in today‟s post. There‟s one for me as well.
(xxxvii) Everybody thought I had composed the poem. The truth is my
younger sister did it.
Everybody thought I had composed the poem. As a matter of fact, my
younger sister did it.
(xxxviii) The doctor told the patient to make sure that he took his pills on time.
The doctor told the patient to see to it that he took his pills on time.
(xxxix) It will be better for us to plan our trip before setting out.
We had better plan our trip before setting out.

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 Honeycomb Chapter – 1
The Squirrel - Poem

Question 1. You may have seen a squirrel sitting on the ground eating a nut. What
did it look like?
Solution:
The squirrel is a rodent. It is grey in colour with brown strips on its back. it is very small in
size with fur on its body and a large bushy tail. It generally lives in trees and likes to eat nuts.
It is a playful and naughty animal.

Working with the Poem

Question 1. Why does the poet say the squirrel ―wore a question mark for tail‖? Draw
a squirrel, or find a picture of a squirrel sitting on the ground. How would you describe
its tail?
Solution:-

The poet says so because the bushy tail of a squirrel sitting on the ground is curled back on its
body in a curved shape that looks very similar to the punctuation mark at the end of an
interrogative sentence. I would describe it as a furry and bushy cloth worn on its back that
seems to ask you the question - what?

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Question 2. Do we usually say that an animal ‗wears‘ a tail? What do we say? (Think:
Does an animal wear a coat? Consult a dictionary if you like, and find out how ‗wear‘ is
used in different ways.)
Solution:
No, usually we do not say that an animal „wears‟ a tail. We usually say that animal 'has' a
tail. (Wear also means to carry or to hold something on your body, like a cloth or a smile or a
piece of jewellery or a perfume. The hair on the body can be arranged to be carried in
different ways like a pony or a knot or pleated and that can be said as how you wear your
hair.)

Question 3. ―He liked to tease and play‖. Who is teasing whom? How ?
Solution:
The squirrel is a naughty playful animal. It loves to be chased, by other squirrels and kids
as well. When poet and his friends ran around the tree on which the squirrel is sitting, it
went the other way teasing them and playing with them.

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 Honeycomb Chapter – 2
The Rebel - Poem

Working with the Poem

Question 1. Answer the following questions.
(xxxvi) If someone doesn‘t wear a uniform to school, what do you think the
teacher will say?
(xxxvii) When everyone wants a clear sky, what does the rebel want most?
(xxxviii) If the rebel has a dog for a pet, what is everyone else likely to have?
(xxxix) Why is it good to have rebels?
(xl) Why is it not good to be a rebel oneself?
(xli) Would you like to be a rebel? If yes, why? If not, why not?

(xxxix) The teacher will scold the student and ask him/her the reason for not wearing
the uniform and then takes action accordingly.
(xl) When everyone wants a clear sky, the rebel wants it to rain.
(xli) When everyone is likely to have a cat for a pet, only then will the rebel have
a dog for a pet.
(xlii) It is good to have rebels because very few people have the strength to stand
against the majority. They think differently and stand fearlessly for their
choices which can be beneficial.
(xliii) It is not good for oneself to be a rebel because you have to stand alone all the
time. It makes you unpopular among the people and you will have no friends.
(xliv) No, I would not like to be a rebel because i don't have the guts to oppose the
majority and moreover i don't want to hurt the feelings of the people close to
me. I don't want to be a source of bitterness among the people.

Question 2. Find in the poem an antonym (a word opposite in meaning) for each of
the following words.
42. long (ii) grow (iii) quietness (iv) sober (v)
lost Solution:
• Short
• Cut
• Disturbance
• Fantastic
• Find

Question 3. Find in the poem lines that match the following. Read both one after the
other.
(xxxiii) The rebel refuses to cut his hair.6
(xxxiv) He says cats are better. 2
(xxxv) He recommends dogs.
(xxxvi) He is unhappy because there is no sun.
(xxxvii) He is noisy on purpose.
(xxxiv) The rebel lets his hair grow long.
(xxxv) The rebel expresses a preference for cats.
(xxxvi) The rebel puts in a good word for dogs.
(xxxvii) The rebel regrets the absence of sun.
(xxxviii) The rebel creates a disturbance.

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 Honeycomb Chapter – 3
The shed - Poem

Working with the Poem

Question 1. Answer the following questions.
(xlii) Who is the speaker in the poem?
(xliii) Is she/he afraid or curious, or both?
(xliv) What is she/he planning to do soon?
(xlv) ―But not just yet...‖ suggests doubt, fear, hesitation, laziness or something
else. Choose the word which seems right to you. Tell others why you chose it.
Solution:
(xlv) The speaker of the poem is a small kid.
(xlvi) He/She was both curious and afraid. The creaking noise of hinges at night and
the feeling of someone staring at him/her make the child feel afraid. While the
thought that the shed was his/her brother's den makes him/her curious.
(xlvii) She/he is planning to go inside the shed soon.
(xlviii) “But not just yet...” suggests the hesitation of the poet about going inside
that shed.
Though he/she is confident that there are no ghosts inside but still he/she
hesitates to step inside and leaves the matter to be handled in near
future, gathering up more courage.

Question 2. Is there a room in your house or a house in your neighbourhood/

locality where you would rather not go alone, and never at night? If there is such
a place and a story to go with it, let others hear all about it. Solution:

This question is supposed to be done by the students themselves. However, if requested

for an answer to this question in future, we will put it. Thanks.

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 Honeycomb Chapter – 4
Chivvy - Poem

Working with the Poem

Question 1. Discuss these questions in small groups before you answer them.
(xlvi) When is a grown-up likely to say this? Don‘t talk with your mouth full.
(xlvii) When are you likely to be told this? Say thank you.
(xlviii) When do you think an adult would say this? No one thinks you
are funny. Solution:
(xlix) A grown-up is likely to say so while eating, when a child tries to talk with
food stuffed in his/her mouth.
(l) We are expected to say thank you when someone helps us or gives us something.
(li) When a child acts weird or does something funny to try and seek attention of the
people around, then an adult would say - no one thinks you are funny.

Question 2. The last two lines of the poem are not prohibitions or instructions. What
is the adult now asking the child to do? Do you think the poet is suggesting that this is
unreasonable? Why?
Solution:
The adult keeps advising the child about what he should do or should not do. But in the last
two lines, the adult is expecting the child to make decisions for himself as if the adult has not
been advising him about the dos and the don'ts. Yes the poet is suggesting that this is
unreasonable because the child cannot decide what he should do or not when he is bound by
instructions and prohibitions regarding each and every action he does. (The pronoun he has
been used for the child in a general sense and does not depict the gender of the child.)

Question 3. Why do you think grown-ups say the kind of things mentioned in the
poem? Is it important that they teach children good manners, and how to behave in
public?
Solution:
The grown-ups say such things to their children in order to teach them good manners. They
want their children to be responsible citizens and behave properly in public. Yes, it is
important to teach the children all these things so that they learn how to behave properly in
the society, at home and with their elders and youngsters. Our elders are our teachers and
we can learn a lot from their experience.

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Question 4. If you had to make some rules for grown-ups to follow, what would you
say? Make at least five such rules. Arrange the lines as in a poem. Solution:

I would make rules like: Don't abuse anyone.

Schedule a time slot for fun and game. Keep the neighbourhood clean.
Don't smoke or spit publically. No physical punishments.

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 Honeycomb Chapter – 5
Trees - Poem

Working with the Poem

Question 1. What are the games or human activities which use trees, or in which trees
also ‗participate‘?
Solution:
The trees are used to make tree houses, to swing swings, to play hide and seek, to get shade
in summer, to build fire for camp parties in winter, to get fruits and wood and for many
more things.

Question 2. (i) ―Trees are to make no shade in winter.‖ What does this mean?
(Contrast this line with the line immediately before it.)
(xlix) ―Trees are for apples to grow on, or pears.‖ Do you agree that one purpose of a
tree is to have fruit on it? Or do you think this line is humorous?
Solution:
(lii) During winter time, we make use of tree wood to build a fire to feel warm. In
summer time, we need protection from sunlight and trees provide the cool shades.
(liii) Well trees make fruits to hide their seeds to make more trees. And these fruits are
food for us. So in a way, this line is humorous as trees let fruits grow on them and the people
who eat these fruits grow beneath them.

Question 3. With the help of your partner, try to rewrite some lines in the poem, or
add new ones of your own as in the following examples.
Trees are for birds to build nests in. Trees are for people to sit under.
Now try to compose a similar poem about water, or air.
Solution:
Trees are for sweet fruits. Tress take away our tiredness. Trees are oxygen.
Drink water or bathe in water,
You can never imagine life without water. Pure water or impure
water, Save the every drop of water.

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 Honeycomb Chapter – 6
Mystery of the Talking Fan - Poem

Working with the Poem

Question 1. Fans don‘t talk, but it is possible to imagine that they do. What is it then,
that sounds like the fan‘s chatter?
Solution:
The poet imagined that the sound coming from the fan was its chatter. Actually, there was a
sound due to friction between the parts of its motor. They needed oiling.

Question 2. Complete the following sentences.

(l) The chatter is electrical because ......
(li) It is mysterious because ........
Solution:
(liv) The chatter is electrical because it is the sound of the parts of motor that runs on
electricity
(lv) It is mysterious because the sound produced by the fan seems to say something but
the poet is unable to understand it.

Question 3. What do you think the talking fan was demanding?

Solution:
The talking fan was demanding oiling of its motorparts.

Question 4. How does an electric fan manage to throw so much air when it is
switched on?
Solution:
When an electric fan is switched on, its motor starts whirling i.e. rotating which makes the
metallic blades move, cutting the air and we can feel the moving air.

Question 5. Is there a ‗talking fan‘ in your house? Create a dialogue between the fan
and a mechanic.
Solution:
Yes, i have a metallic fan in my house.
Mechanic: How are you doing?
Fan: Not well, Suffering from the heat and friction. Can you do something? Mechanic: I will
try to help you. Let me check you first.
Fan: Yes, sure. Please do your best and help me. Mechanic: I will. Please wait, let me finish
my job. Fan: Go ahead.

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(After repairing)
Mechanic: Now, are you okay?
Fan: Yes, now i am feeling well. It feels so good.
Mechanic: That is great. Remember me when you are in trouble. Fan: Yes, i will. Thanks
for helping me. Greetings to you.
Mechanic: You are welcome. Bye. Take care. Fan: Bye. You too take care.

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 Honeycomb Chapter – 7
Dad and The Cat and The Tree - Poem

Working with the Poem

Question 1. Why was Dad sure he wouldn‘t fall?
Solution:
Dad felt assured that he wouldn‟t fall as he considered himself to be a climber and
thought that climbing trees was a child‟s play.

Question 2. Which phrase in the poem expresses Dad‘s self-confidence best?

Solution:
The phrase „Child‟s play, this is!‟ expresses Dad‟s self-confidence.

Question 3. Describe Plan A and its consequences.

Solution:
Plan A was to use the ladder to climb up the tree and carry down the cat, but the
ladder slipped and Dad fell into the flower bed.

Question 4. Plan C was a success. What went wrong then?

Solution:
Plan C was a success as Dad successfully jumped onto the tree from the top of the garden
wall, but he landed right on the cat. The cat gave a yell and sprang down onto the ground
but poor old Dad was left stuck on the tree.

Question 5. The cat was very happy to be on the ground. Pick out the phrase used to
express this idea.
Solution:
The phrase used to express this idea is „Pleased as Punch to be‟.

Question 6. Describe the Cat and Dad situation in the beginning and at the end of the
poem.
Solution:
In the beginning of the poem, the cat was stuck on the tree and Dad was trying his plans to
bring it down but at the end of the poem the cat was on the ground, safe and sound, and Dad
was left stuck on the tree.

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Question 7. Why and when did Dad say each of the following?
(lii) Fall?
(liii) Never mind
(liv) Funny joke
(lv) Rubbish
Solution:
(lvi) Dad said „Fall?‟ when Mum showed concern that he may fall while climbing
the tree. He said it scornfully making fun of Mum‟s concern.
(lvii) Dad said „Never mind‟ when he fell from the ladder as it slipped, during the
first attempt to rescue the cat. He said so to clarify that everything was alright
and he was okay and wanted to try again.
(lviii) Dad said „Funny joke‟ when Mum warned him about falling again. He said
it boastfully feeling quite over confident of being successful in his Plan B of
rescuing the cat.
(lix) Dad said „Rubbish‟ when Mum asked him to stop trying again for the fear that he
may break his neck, after his Plan B failed. He said so because he thought that his
Plan C will work and he will climb the tree easily and if he gave up, it might ruin
his reputation.

Question 8. Do you find the poem humorous? Read aloud lines which make you
laugh.
Solution:
Yes, the poem is humorous. It draws out funnysituations Dad comes across with, while
trying to climb a tree, to rescue a cat. Moreover, Dad‟s over confidence (about being able to
climb the tree very easily as if it were a child‟s play adds humour to the poem) and the
scepticism of Mum adds humour that reaches its height when at the end Dad remains stuck in
the tree while the Cat jumps down safely on its own.

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 Honeycomb Chapter – 8
Meadow Surprise –
Poem

Working with the Poem

Question 1. Read the lines in which the following phrases occur. Then discuss with
your partner the meaning of each phrase in its context.
(lvi) velvet grass
(lvii) drinking straws
(lviii) meadow houses
(lix) amazing mound
(lx) fuzzy head

Solution:
(lx) Velvet grass – The grass which feels as soft as velvet under our feet.
(lxi) drinking straws – The long narrow tube that a butterfly uses to suck nectar
from the flowers.
(lxii) meadow houses – Home of small animals and insects that live in grasslands
and open fields, like burrows and holes, nests and ants‟ mounds.
(lxiii) fuzzy head – The head of a dandelion flower, made up of many small golden yellow
flowers that get dried up and blown away by air as small little parachutes.

Question 2. Which line in the poem suggests that you need a keen eye and a sharp ear
to enjoy a meadow? Read aloud the stanza that contains this line. Solution:

The line asking to be alert to enjoy being in the meadow is

"You may discover these yourself, If you look and listen
well." The line is in the stanza below: "Oh! Meadows have
surprises And many things to tell;
You may discover these yourself, If you look and listen well."

Question 3. Find pictures of the kinds of birds, insects and scenes mentioned in the
poem.
Solution:
Students should do this themselves. They can collect the pictures of butterflies, rabbits, ants,
birds etc. and use them.

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Question 4. Watch a tree or a plant, or walk across a field or park at the same time
everyday for a week. Keep a diary of what you see and hear. At the end of the week,
write a short paragraph or a poem about your experiences. Put your writing up on the
class bulletin board.
Solution:
Students should attempt this themselves. However, if a demand for help in this context is
raised by the readers of this website, our team will look into it and provide necessary help.

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 Honeycomb Chapter – 9
Garden Snake – Poem

Working with the Poem

Question 1. Answer the following questions.
(lxi) Pick out the line that suggests that the child is afraid of snakes.
(lxii) Which line shows a complete change of the child‘s attitude towards
snakes? Read it aloud.
(lxiii) ―But mother says that kind is good...‖ What is mother referring to?
Solution:
(lxiv) The line that suggests that the child is afraid of snakes is „I saw a snake and
ran away...‟
(lxv) The line that shows a change in the child‟s attitude is - „I‟ll stand aside and
watch him pass,
And tell myself,
“There‟s no mistake,
It‟s just a harmless garden snake!”„
(lxvi) The mother is referring to the garden snake, saying it is the harmless kind
of snake.

Question 2. Find the word that refers to the snake‘s movements in the grass.
Solution:
„Wiggles‟ is the word that refers to the snake‟s movements in the grass.

Question 3. There are four pairs of rhyming words in the poem. Say them aloud.
Solution:
The four pairs are
43. away - say
44. good - food
• grass - pass
(xxxviii) mistake - snake

Question 4. A snake has no legs or feet, but it moves very fast. Can you guess how?
Discuss in the group.
Solution:
A snake has no legs or feet, but it moves very fast as it slithers over the grass. This is done by
alternately contracting and relaxing its body‟s muscles.

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Question 5. Can you recall the word used for a cobra‘s long sharp teeth? Where did
you come across this word first?
Solution:
The word „fangs‟ is used for cobra‟s sharp teeth. They contain poison. So all poisonous
snakes have fangs. I first came across this word when my mother asked me to take care
while playing in bushy areas, as I may get bitten by a poisonous snake.

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 An Alien Chapter – 10
An Alien Hand

Comprehension Check
Question 1. How does Tilloo manage to find his way to the ‗forbidden passage‘?
Solution:
Tilloo was very inquisitive to know what was so dangerous in the place where his father
worked. When Tilloo‟s father was enjoying a siesta at home, he managed to get hold of his
security card and by evading his watchful mother‟s eye, Tilloo made his way to the
forbidden passage.

Question 2. What did Tilloo hope to see once he emerged from his underground
home?
Solution:
Tilloo hoped to see the sun if it was day or the stars if it was night once he emerged from
his underground home.

Question 3. Why did Tilloo‘s father advise him not to try to reach the surface of the
planet?
Solution:
Tilloo‟s father was not angry or upset with his son`s inquisitiveness. Instead he advised
Tilloo not to try to reach the surface of the planet because an ordinary person could not
survive there. The air was too thin to breathe and temperature was so low that one could
freeze to death. Some special kind of clothing was necessary to survive in the planet
which had very less air and freezing temperatures.

Question 4. What changes had occurred, which forced people to live in underground
homes?
Solution:
The environment in which man lived gradually undrwent a change. Due to these changes the
temperatures rose very high. The sun`s heat was unbearable but man could sustain it due to
innovations in technology. He sought newer means to make life comfortable. However, the
change was sufficient to upset the balance of nature. Fish, birds and animals could`nt bear it
and became extinct. This forced people to live in underground homes.

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Comprehension Check
Question 1. Why was everyone in the Control Room greatly excited?
Solution:
Everyone in the Control Room was greatly excited because the big TV Screen showed a
dot in clear background which was heading towards the planet.

Question 2. Was the spacecraft manned or unmanned? How do you know it?
Solution:
The spacecraft was unmanned because number one reported to the president that they do not
contain living beings, they only have instruments.

Question 3. What did Number One and Number Two suggest should be done about
the alien spacecraft?
Solution:
Number One suggested that they should wait for the spacecraft to land and then render it
ineffective anytime it is required. But Number Two suggested that we should not
interfere and observe passively and not to reveal their existence by rendering the
spacecraft ineffective.

Comprehension Check
Question 1. (i) What do you think the mechanical hand was trying to do?
Solution:
The mechanical hand was trying to collect the sample of the soil from the planet for the
examination.
(lxiv) Tilloo pressed the red button and ―the damage was done‖. What was the damage?
Solution:
The damage was that the mechanical hand from the spacecraft ceased to work.

Question 2. Where had the spacecraft come from?

Solution:
The spacecraft had come from the Earth.

Question 3. On which planet do Tilloo and his parents live?

Solution:
Tilloo and his parents live on mars.

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Discuss the following topics in groups.
Question 1. If you had to live in a home like Tilloo‘s, what parts of life would you find
most difficult? What compensations might there be? Solution:

The part of life I found most difficult is the freedom and open space. It will be like living in a
cell far away from open space. There was no sightseeing, social life and interactions with the
nature. I would want peace safety, freedom and a fearless place as compensations to live in.
As all of us would be living in such underground buildings, people must collaborate with
each other nicely.

Question 2. What, if anything, might drive mankind to make their homes

underground?
Solution:
Global warming, depletion of air and water, climatic changes, lack of natural resources to
fulfil man`s basic needs may destroy the life on the surface of the Earth and drive mankind
to make their homes underground.

Question 3. Do you think there is life on other planets? Can you guess what kind of
people there may be on them? In what ways are they likely to be different from us?
Solution:
Yes life on other planets is possible. Traces of water have been found on the satellite of
Saturn and evidences of life on Mars has been found in Mars in the past and present.
Large quantities of underground ice have been seen on Mars which proves it was
inhabited in the earlier times.

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 An Alien Chapter – 1
The Tiny Teacher

Question 1. The story of an ant‘s life sounds almost untrue.

The italicised phrase means
(lxv) highly exaggerated.
(lxvi) too remarkable to be true.
(lxvii) not based on
facts. Solution:
(lxvii) too remarkable to be true.

Question 2. Complete the following sentences.

45. An ant is the smallest, ......
46. We know a number of facts about an ant‘s life because.......
Solution:
• An ant is the smallest, the commonest and the wisest insect.
• We know a number of facts about an ant‟s life because people have kept ants
as pets and have watched their daily behaviour closely.

Question 3. In what ways is an ant‘s life peaceful?

Solution:
An ant‟s life is peaceful because each does it`s work intelligently and bravely and never fights
with other members of it‟s group. Each member has a designated place to stay and a definite
work to do. a soldier ant never goes out to search for food and similarly a worker never enters
the domain of a soldier ant. No worker or soldier has ever harmed any grub. Each one loyally
and diligently does his duty and relentlessly carries on with their work peacefully. They know
sharing and contribution and do not interfere in each other‟s work.

Question 1. How long does it take for a grub to become a complete ant?
Solution:
It takes two or three weeks for a grub to become a cocoon. After another three weeks the
cocoon breaks and a complete ant appears.

Question 2. Why do the worker ants carry the grubs about?

Solution:
The worker ants carry them about daily for airing, exercise and sunshine.

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Question 3. What jobs are new ants trained for?
Solution:
The new ants are trained as workers, soldiers, builders, cleaners, etc.

Question 4. Name some other creatures that live in anthills.

Solution:
Some other creatures that live in anthills are beetles, lesser breeds of ants, and the greenfly.

Question 5. Mention three things we can learn from the ‗tiny teacher‘. Give reasons
for choosing these items.
Solution:
Though ants are very small and unassertive they are undoubtedly great teachers for our life.
We can learn team work as ants do their work by sharing and contributing without interfering
in each other`s work.
We can learn hard work as ants spend their most of time in doing their respective jobs
without hesitation.
We can learn loyalty, power of cohesive work and discipline as ants live a disciplined life and
always follow the rules of their group and are loyal towards it.

Exercise
Discuss the following topics in groups.
Question 1.
(xxxix) What problems are you likely to face if you keep ants as pets?
(xl) When a group of bees finds nectar, it informs other bees of its location,
quantity, etc. through dancing. Can you guess what ants communicate to
their fellow ants by touching one another‘s feelers?
Solution:
(xxxix) We may face several problems in keeping ants as pets.
They are too tiny to keep a watch on. They may bite and cause an itchy skin.
Making a suitable and a safe home for them woul not be practically possible.
(xl) Ants appear to greet each other when they move in a single file but actually
they touch the feelers of each other to inform them about the location of food.

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Page No: 6
Question 2. Complete the following poem with words from the box below. Then recite
the poem. Soldiers live in barracks
And birds in ————,
Much like a snake that rests In a
————. No horse is able
To sleep except in a ————.
And a dog lives well,
Mind you, only in a ————.
To say ‗hi‘ to an ant, if you will,
You may have to climb an ————.
Hole, kennel, nests, anthill, stable
Solution: Soldiers live in barracks
And bird in nests,
Much like a snake that rests
In a hole. No horse is able
To sleep except in a stable.
And a dog lives well,
Mind you, only in a kennel.
To say 'hi' to an ant, if you will,
You may have to climb an anthill.

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 Honeycomb Chapter – 2
The Rebel - Poem

Working with the Poem

Question 1. Answer the following questions.
(lxviii) If someone doesn‘t wear a uniform to school, what do you think the
teacher will say?
(lxix) When everyone wants a clear sky, what does the rebel want most?
(lxx) If the rebel has a dog for a pet, what is everyone else likely to have?
(lxxi) Why is it good to have rebels?
(lxxii) Why is it not good to be a rebel oneself?
(lxxiii) Would you like to be a rebel? If yes, why? If not, why not?

(lxviii) The teacher will scold the student and ask him/her the reason for not wearing
the uniform and then takes action accordingly.
(lxix) When everyone wants a clear sky, the rebel wants it to rain.
(lxx) When everyone is likely to have a cat for a pet, only then will the rebel have
a dog for a pet.
(lxxi) It is good to have rebels because very few people have the strength to stand
against the majority. They think differently and stand fearlessly for their
choices which can be beneficial.
(lxxii)It is not good for oneself to be a rebel because you have to stand alone all the
time. It makes you unpopular among the people and you will have no friends.
(lxxiii) No, I would not like to be a rebel because i don't have the guts to oppose the
majority and moreover i don't want to hurt the feelings of the people close to
me. I don't want to be a source of bitterness among the people.

Question 2. Find in the poem an antonym (a word opposite in meaning) for each of
the following words.
47. long (ii) grow (iii) quietness (iv) sober (v)
lost Solution:
• Short
• Cut
• Disturbance
• Fantastic
• Find

• Question 3. Find in the poem lines that match the following. Read both one after
the other.
(xli) The rebel refuses to cut his hair.
(xlii) He says cats are better.
(xliii) He recommends dogs.
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(xliv) He is unhappy because there is no sun. 2
(xlv) He is noisy on purpose.
(xli) The rebel lets his hair grow long.
(xlii) The rebel expresses a preference for cats.
(xliii) The rebel puts in a good word for dogs.
(xliv) The rebel regrets the absence of sun.
(xlv) The rebel creates a disturbance.

An Alien Chapter – 3
The Desert

Comprehension Check
8
Question 1. From the first paragraph 3

(lxxiv) pick out two phrases which describe the desert as most people believe it is;
(lxxv) pick out two phrases which describe the desert as specialists see it.
Which do you think is an apt description, and why?
Solution:
(lxxiv) Two phrases which describe the desert as most people believe it is:
„dry, hot, waterless and without shelter.‟
„an endless stretch of sand where no rain falls and, therefore, no
vegetation grows.'
(lxxv) Two phrases which describe the desert as specialists see
it: 'a beautiful place'
„home of a variety of people, animals and plants‟
I think both the descriptions are apt in their own way as most people describe it
as what they see on television or read over internet while specialists make their
conclusion based on their interests and experiences after living in the desert.

Question 2. The phrases on the left in the following box occur in the text. Match each
of them with a phrase on the right.

(i) an endless stretch of sand fertile place with water and plants in a desert
(ii) waterless and without shelter not visible because the grass is thick
(iii) an oasis nothing but sand as far as one can see
(iv) hidden by a cover of grass no water and no shade

Solution:

(i) an endless stretch of sand nothing but sand as far as one can see
(ii) waterless and without shelter no water and no shade
(iii) an oasis fertile place with water and plants in a desert
(iv) hidden by a cover of grass not visible because the grass is thick

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Comprehension Check
Question 1. A camel can do without water for days together. What is the reason given
in the text?
Solution:
A camel can do without water for days together because they sweat very little. Camels can
stand high body temperature, they don‟t need to sweat and therefore can retain the water they
drink for long periods of time.

Question 2. How do the smaller desert animals fulfill their need for water?
Solution:
The smaller animals fulfill their need for water by burrowing underground during the hot day
and come out at night to eat. Some of them eat other animals and get the water they need
from the moisture in the meat. Others eat plants and seeds and get the water they need from
plant juices.

Question 3. In a desert the temperature rises during the day and falls rapidly at
night. Why?
Solution:
In a desert the temperature rises during the day and falls rapidly at night because of the
absence of moisture in desert lands. The moisture present in the air acts as a blanket and
protects the earth‟s surface form the hot rays of the sun but the moisture in air is absent in
desert. Therefore, the land get heats up quickly during the day due to the sun‟s rays and
cools down rapidly at night.

Exercises
Do the following activities in groups.
Question 1. Describe a desert in your own way. Write a paragraph and read it aloud
to your classmates.
Solution:
A desert is generally without water and vegetation but it as beautiful as a forest. A desert may
be too hot or too cold but plants and animals there have learned to survive in hot and dry and
cold condition. Deserts also have a different kind of vegetation.

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Question 2. Go to the library and collect information about the lifestyle of people in
desert areas— their food, clothes, work, social customs, etc. Share this information with
the group.
Solution:
Temperatures rise and fall to the extremes in deserts. rainfall varies every year.Ponds are the
only sources of water for animals and human beings. Life is difficult for these dwellings
however they live life with rich customs and traditional values. Tourists throng these places
to know more about such cultures.
Woodwork, wool-weaving, leather work, jewellery- making, cloth-dyeing, embroidery,
snake- charming, agriculture (in a few parts), herd- grazing are the major occupations of
these people. Folk music and dance are the living traditions of Thar.

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 An Alien Chapter – 4
The Cop andtheAnthem

Exercises

Answer the following questions.

Question 1. What are some of the signs of approaching winter referred to in the text?
Ans: Some of the signs of approaching winter are birds begin to fly south, people want new
warm coats and dead leaves falling.

Question 2. Write ‗True‘ or ‗False‘ against each of the following.

(lxxvi) Soapy did not want to go to prison.
(lxxvii)Soapy had been to prison several times.
(lxxviii) It was not possible for Soapy to survive in the city through the winter.
(lxxix) Soapy hated to answer questions of a personal nature.
Solution:
(lxxvi) False
(lxxvii)True
(lxxviii) False
(lxxix) True

Question 3. What was Soapy‘s first plan? Why did it not work?
Solution:
Soapy‟s first plan was to have dinner at some fine restaurant and after that he would say
that he had no money to pay so that cop would arrest him and the judge would sentence him
for three months in the prison on Blackwell‟s Island.
This plan did not work because the head waiter saw his broken old shoes and the torn clothes
that covered his legs. The restaurant authorities turned Soapy around and moved him quietly
and quickly outside the restaurant.

Question 4. ―But the cop‘s mind would not consider Soapy‖. What did the cop not
consider, and why?
Solution:
The cop's mind didn't consider Soapy because the men who break windows do not stop there
to talk to cops. They run away as fast as they can. The cop saw a man further along the street
running and they ran after him.

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Question 5. ―We have orders to let them shout‖. What is the policeman referring to?
Solution:
The policeman was referring to the orders that allowed college students to shout as they
would not hurt anything. He said this to a man standing near him when Soapy shouted as
if he was drunk thinking that Soapy is a college boy.

Question 6. Write ‗True‘ or ‗False‘ against each of the following.

48. Soapy stole a man‘s umbrella.
49. The owner of the umbrella offered to give it to Soapy.
50. The man had stolen the umbrella that was now Soapy‘s.
51. Soapy threw away the umbrella
Solution:
• True
• False
• True
• True

Question 7. ―There was a sudden and wonderful change in his soul‖. What brought
about the change in Soapy?
Solution:
When Soapy came near his old home, he remembered his old days and his childhood life. He
saw his worthless days, his wrong desires, his dead hopes, the lost power of his mind. These
made sudden and wonderful change in his soul. His heart answered this change in his soul.
He would fight to change his life, pull himself up, out of the mud and make a man of
himself again.

Discuss the following topics in groups.

Question 1. Suppose no cop came at the end. What would Soapy‘s life be like through
the winter?
Solution:
If no cop came at the end, there would have been significant and positive changes in his
life. He would have looked for the man who had offered him a job and able to live a
respectable life in the society. The changes brought about in his soul would have changed
his whole life and he might have given up his bad habits as he was determined. The story
had an happy ending with Soapy changed into a respectful man.

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Question 2. Retell an episode in the story which is a good example of irony in a
situation. Solution:
The ironic episode in the story is when Soapy came to his old home. It‟s memory changed his
mind and made him strong willing person who was ready to brought positive changes in his
life.
“Here was his old childhood home. Through one window, he could see a soft light shining.
That had been his living room, where he had spent many happy peaceful moments. Sweet
music came to Soapy‟s ears and seemed to hold him there. The moon was above, peaceful
and bright. There were few people passing. He could hear birds high above him. And the
music that came from the room held Soapy there, for he had known it well long ago. In those
days, his life contained some precious moments as he had a loving mother and lovely scenes,
high hopes, friends, clean thoughts and clean clothes. There was a sudden and wonderful
change in his soul. He saw with a digusting feeling how he had chosen the wrong course in
life. He saw his worthless days, his wrong desires, his dead hopes, the lost power of his mind.
And also, in a moment, his heart answered this change in his soul. He would fight to change
his life. He would pull himself up, out of the mud. He would make a man of himself again.”

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An Alien Chapter – 5
 Golu Grows a Nose

Exercises

Answer the following questions.

Question 1. Whom does Golu ask, ―Why don‘t you ever fly like other birds?‖
Solution:
Golu asked his tall aunt, the ostrich, “Why don‟t you ever fly like other birds?”

Question 2. Which uncle of Golu had red eyes?

Solution:
Golu‟s huge uncle, the hippopotamus had red eyes.

Question 3. Golu‘s relatives did not answer his questions because

(lxxx) they were shy.
(lxxxi) the questions were too difficult.
(lxxxii)Golu was a naughty
baby. Solution:
Golu‟s relatives did not answer because (ii) the questions were too difficult.

Question 4. Who advised Golu to go to the Limpopo river?

Solution:
The mynah bird advised Golu to go to the Limpopo river.

Question 5. Why did Golu go to the river?

Solution:
Golu went to the river to know what the crocodile had for his dinner.

Question 6. The crocodile lay on the bank of the Limpopo river. Golu thought
it was
(lxxx) a living crocodile.
(lxxxi) a dead crocodile.
(lxxxii)a log of
wood. Solution:
Golu thought it was (iii) a log of wood.

Question 7. What did the crocodile do to show that it was a real crocodile?
Solution:
Crocodile shed his crocodile tears to show that it was a real crocodile.

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Question 8. ―Come here, little one, and I‘ll whisper the answer to you.‖
The crocodile said this because
52. he couldn‘t stand up.
53. he wanted to eat Golu.
54. Golu was
deaf. Solution:
The crocodile said this because (ii) he wanted to eat Golu.

Question 9. Who helped Golu on the bank of the river?

Solution:
The python helped Golu on the bank of the river.

Question 10. Name two things the elephant can do with his trunk, and two he cannot.
Solution:
The two things the elephant can do with his trunk are:
• pluck a large bundle of grass and stuff it into his mouth
• scoop up some mud from the bank and slap it on his head. The two things
the elephant cannot do with his trunk are:
(xlvi) cannot scratch himself with his trunk
(xlvii) cannot chew or eat food directly with his trunk.

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 An Alien Chapter – 6
I Want Something in a Cage

Comprehension Check
Question 1. Write ‗True‘ or ‗False‘ against each of following statements.
(lxxxiii) Mr Purcell sold birds, cats, dogs and monkeys.
(lxxxiv) He was very concerned about the well-being of the birds and
animals in his shop.
(lxxxv) He was impressed by the customer who bought the two doves.
(lxxxvi) He was a successful shopowner, though insensitive and cold as a person.
Solution:
(lxxxiii) True
(lxxxiv) False
(lxxxv) False
(lxxxvi) False

Question 2. Why is Mr Purcell compared to an owl?

Solution:
Mr Purcell compared to an owl because large glasses magnified his eyes which gives him
the appearance of a wise and genial owl.

Question 3. From the third paragraph pick out

55. words associated with cries of birds,
56. words associated with noise,
57. words suggestive of confusion and fear.
Solution:
• whispered twitters, cheeps, squeaks
• Rustling, squeals, squeaks
• frantic, frightened, bewildered, blindly seeking.

Question 4. "...Mr Purcell heard it no more than he would have heard the
monotonous ticking of a familiar clock." (Read para beginning with "It was a
rough day...")
(xlviii) What does 'it' refer to?
(xlix) Why does Mr Purcell not hear 'it' clearly?

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Solution:
(xlvi) 'It' refers to the chirping, squeaking and mewing of the birds and animals in
the shop of Mr Purcell.
(xlvii) Mr Purcell does not hear 'it' clearly because he heard it no more than he would
have heard the monotonous ticking of a familiar clock.and paid no attention to
it as it was a daily routine.

Comprehension Check
Question 1. Do you think the atmosphere of Mr Purcell‘s shop was cheerful or
depressing? Give reasons for your answer.
Solution:
The atmosphere of Mr Purcell‟s shop was depressing because a constant stir of movement
that pervaded his shop and the animals and birds were making a lot of noise as if they
were restless. It seemed as though they were not happy in their cages.

Question 2. Describe the stranger who came to the pet shop. What did he want?
Solution:
The stranger was peculiar man who was wearing shiny shoes and cheap, ill-fitted but a new
suit. He had a shuttling glance and close-cropped hair. He wanted something small in a cage
with wings.

Question 3. (i) The man insisted on buying the doves because he was fond of birds.
Do you agree?
(xxxi) How had he earned the five dollars he
had? Solution:
(xxxi) No, the man did not insist on buying the doves just because he was fond of birds.
He did not ask for the birds directly, instead he said that he wanted a creature with wings in
a cage. This tells us that he had sympathy for the birds and wanted to see them flying.
(xxxii) He had earned those five dollars by doing hard labour in jail in his ten years of
imprisonment and deliberately spent that hard-earned money to set free living creatures
from being imprisoned.

Question 4. Was the customer interested in the care and feeding of the doves he had
bought? If not, why not?
Solution:
The stranger was not interested in the care and feeding of the doves because he wanted to
set them free.

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Exercises
Discuss the following topics in groups.
Question 4. Why, in your opinion, did the man set the doves free?
Solution:
In my opinion, I think that the man must have set the doves free because he himself had been
in jail for ten years. He had sympathy for the birds and knew the pain of being imprisoned
against their wishes. He wanted to see them flying and enjoy their freedom that is why he
bought something with the wings. He wanted to smell the happiness of freedom from cages
by setting the doves free.

Question 4. Why did it make Mr Purcell feel ―vaguely insulted‖?

Solution:
Mr Purcell felt “vaguely insulted” as the man bought the doves from Purcell‟s shop for five
dollars and then went outside to set them free. It was Mr. Purcell who had kept these birds
in cage and restricted their freedom and the man spent his ten years income only to give the
doves freedom, so he felt all themore insulted.

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An Alien Chapter – 7
 Chandni

Comprehension Check
Question 1. Why did Abbu Khan‘s goats want to run away? What happened to them
in the hills?
Solution:
Abbu Khan‟s goats wanted to run away because goats in hilly regions hate being tied to
trees or poles. They loved their freedom and his goats were of the best hill breed. They got
killed by an old wolf who lived in the hills.

Question 2. Abbu Khan said, ―No more goats in my house ever again.‖ Then he
changed his mind. Why?
Solution:
Abbu Khan changed his mind because he was terribly lonely and simply couldn‟t live
without his pets. He needed company.

Question 3. Why did he buy a young goat?

Solution:
He thought that a young goat would stay with him much longer. She would soon begin to
love him as well as the food served by him and would never want to go to the hills.

Comprehension Check
Question 1. Why did Chandni hate the rope round her neck?
Solution:
Chandni hated the rope round her neck because whenever she ran towards the hills, the rope
round her neck wouldn‟t let her go any further and stopped her with a jerk. She wanted to run
across the green fields and the hills and enjoy her freedom.

Question 2. ―Now Abbu Khan understood Chandni‘s problem...‖ What was

Chandni‘s problem?
Solution:
Chandni‟s problem was that she was a mountain goat and loved her freedom. She wanted
to go to the hills and hated to live with the rope around her neck.

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Question 3. Abbu Khan pushed Chandni into a small hut. This shows that he
(lxxxvii) was cruel.
(lxxxviii) loved her and wanted to save her life.
(lxxxix) was selfish.
Solution:
This shows that he (ii) loved her and wanted to save her life.

Comprehension Check
Question 1. Why did Chandni refuse to join the group of wild goats?
Solution:
Chandni refused to join the group of wild goats because she wanted to enjoy her new
freedom all by herself.

Question 2. Chandni fought the wolf because she

(lxxxvii) was stronger than the wolf.
(lxxxviii) hated the wolf.
(lxxxix) had to retain her freedom at
all costs. Solution:
Chandni fought the wolf because she (iii) had to retain her freedom at all costs.

Exercises
Discuss the following topics in groups.
Question 1. Why did the wise old bird say, ―Chandni is the winner‖?
Solution:
The wise old bird said that Chandni was the winner because even though she was weak and
small in front of the wolf, she did not give up. She gathered all her courage and put up a
brave fight. She did not leave the battlefield like a coward and fought for her freedom. She
said to herself that - „death in an open field is was far better than life in a small hut.‟ She
stood firm on her legs, head slightly bent and horns jutting out. She was a picture of
courage. She looked like a brave soldier ready to fight a treacherous enemy. She died
fighting her life bravely in the morning she was found dead completely soaked in blood.

Question 2. ―Death in an open field is better than life in a small hut,‖ Chandni said to
herself. Was it the right decision? Give reasons for your answer. Solution:

I think it was the right decision because no one can imagine life in someone‟s captivity.
Freedom is more valuable thing than life. Chandni could have gone back to her small hut of
Abbu and saved her life but she chose to fight with the wolf instead, to attain her freedom.
9
She did not die like a coward. She fought with courage and bravery to get what she wanted
6
in her life. She might have lived longer in the captivity but she died everyday and hated
imprisonment. She fought with the wolf and told herself that “success or failure is a matter
of luck or chance.” So, she took the right decision afterall.
Question 3. Freedom is life. Discuss this with reference to ‗Chandni‘ and ‗I Want
Something in a Cage‘.
Solution:
In both cases Freedom is the right to decide one`s routine or course of life. The lesson
“Chandni”educates us to live a life of non- conformity and exalt ourselves from a state of
bonded - ness.
Similarly, the lesson “I want something in a cage”, also send us a message that true life can
be discovered only in freedom ,even if it entails struggle, trials and even death.

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 An Alien Chapter – 8
The Bear Story
Exercises

Answer the following questions.

Question 1. Where did the lady find the bear cub? How did she bring it up?
Solution:
The lady found the bear cub in the forest. It was brought up on the bottle because it was
almost dead due to hunger and was so small and helpless.

Question 2. The bear grew up but ―he was a most amiable bear‖. Give three examples
to prove this.
Solution:
Three examples to prove that the bear grew up but “he was a most amiable bear”:
(xc) He did not dream of harming anybody, no man or beast.
(xci) He look with his small intelligent eyes most affectionately at the cattle grazing
in the field near by
(xcii) The children used to ride on his back and he never harmed them.

Question 3. What did the bear eat? There were two things he was not allowed to do.
What were they?
Solution:
He ate the same food as the dogs and often out of the same plate like bread, porridge, potato,
cabbage, turnip. He liked fruit the best. Two things he was not allowed to do were to climb
trees for his favourite apples as there were beehives and he could get stung by them.

Question 4. When was the bear tied up with a chain? Why?

Solution:
He was tied up with chain whenever he did mischief. He was also chained during nights and
on Sundays when his mistress went to spend the afternoon with her married sister. It was
done because it was not good for him to wander about in the forest with all its temptations; it
was better to be on the safer side.

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Question 5. What happened one Sunday when the lady was going to her sister‘s
house? What did the lady do? What was the bear‘s reaction? Solution:

One Sunday when the lady was going to her sister‟s house, she saw a bear coming behind
her in the forest in full speed. Thinking that it was her bear, she scolded him and told him to
go back as she didn't want him to come with her. She became very angry when she saw that
the bear had lost his new collar and hit him on his nose with her parasol. The bear opened his
mouth several times as if he wanted to say something and looked at her with his cunning
eyes. After that, it turned around and went on its way.

Question 6. Why was the bear looking sorry for himself in the evening? Why did the
cook get angry with her mistress?
Solution:
The bear was looking sorry for himself in the evening because he had been chained for
the whole Sunday afternoon and was looking for his mistress without doing any mischief.
The cook got angry with her mistress because she was scolding the bear for no mistake of his.
He had been sitting there quite still on his haunches as meek as an angel, looking all the while
towards the gate for the mistress to come back.

Discuss the following topics in groups.

Question 1. Most people keep dogs and cats as pets. Can you think of some unusual
pets that people keep?
Solution:
Some people keep guinea pigs, parrots, love birds and domestic animals as pets.

Question 2. The second bear did not attack the lady because he was afraid of her. Do
you agree?
Solution:
No, I don't agree that second bear did not attack the lady because he was afraid of her. I
think, the second bear was also amiable and want to befriend someone. Even when she lost
her appetite and scolded him and hit the bear with her parasol, he did not attack her.
Although, bears are capable of killing a person easily. He opened his mouth several times as
if he wanted to say something and looked at her with his cunning eyes which tells us that he
was not afraid of her at all but wanted to be loved by her. He had come stopping now and
then look at the lady, till at last she lost sight of him which shows the affection he had with
the lady.

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 An Alien Chapter – 9
A Tiger in the House

Comprehension Check
Question 1. ―He had the distinction of being the only member of the party to have
bagged any game...‖
The phrase in italics means
(xciii) Grandfather was the most distinguished member of the party.
(xciv) Grandfather was the only sportsperson in the party.
(xcv) Grandfather was the only successful member of the hunting party. Mark the
right answer.
Solution:
The phrase in italics means (iii) Grandfather was the only successful member of the
hunting party.

Question 2. Complete the following sentences.

(xc) Toto climbed up the curtains when ————
(xci) ————, I became one of the tiger‘s favourites.
(xcii) Timothy had clean habits, ————
Solution:
58. Toto climbed up the curtains when Timothy lost his temper.
59. One of Timothy's favourite amusements was to stalk anyone who would
play with him, and so, when I came to live with Grandfather, I became one
of the tiger's favourites.
60. Timothy had clean habits, and would scrub his face with his paws exactly like a
cat.

Comprehension Check
Question 1. Grandmother‘s prophecy was that the tiger
• would prefer Mahmoud‘s bed to sleep in.
• and the cook would disappear together from the house.
• would one day make a meal of Mahmoud.

Mark the right answer.

Solution:
Grandmother‟s prophecy was that the tiger (iii) would one day make a meal of Mahmoud.

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Question 2. When Timothy was about six months old, a change came over him.
The phrase in italics means that
(l) Timothy had grown to his full size.
(li) Timothy grew more friendly.
(lii) Timothy grew less friendly, in fact more
dangerous Solution:
The phrase in italics means that (iii) Timothy grew less friendly, in fact more dangerous.

Question 3. Write ‗True‘ or ‗False‘ against each of the following statements.

(xlviii) Timothy and Grandfather went to Lucknow in a special compartment.
(xlix) The compartment in which Grandfather and Timothy travelled had no
other passenger.
(l) Timothy and Grandfather travelled in a first class compartment.
(li) All passengers in the compartment thought that Timothy was a well-fed and
civilised tiger.
Solution:
(xxxii) False
(xxxiii)True
(xxxiv) True
(xxxv) False

Question 4. Grandfather suggested that Timothy should be put in another cage.

The reason was that
(xxxiii)the tiger had become very bad tempered.
(xxxiv) a leopard in the next cage would constantly rush at Timothy.
(xxxv) the cage was too small for a full grown tiger.
Solution:
The reason was that (ii) a leopard in the next cage would constantly rush at Timothy.

Question 5. The tiger was still licking his arm, with increasing relish. The phrase in
italics suggests that Timothy
(xxxi) was good natured.
(xxxii) recognised an old friend.
(xxxiii)smelt fresh
food. Solution:
The phrase in italics suggests that Timothy (iii) smelt fresh food.

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Exercises

Answer the following questions.

Question 1. Where was the tiger cub hiding when Grandfather found him?
Solution:
Grandfather found the tiger cub was hiding among the intricate roots of a banyan tree.

Question 2. (i) What did Toto do to entertain Timothy?

(v) What did he do when Timothy lost his
temper? Solution:
(xxi) Toto would tease and pull Timothy by the tail to entertain him.
(xxii) Toto climbed up the curtains when Timothy lost his temper.

Question 3. ―I became one of the tiger‘s favourites‖. Who is 'I' in the statement? Why
did he think so?
Solution:
In the statement „I‟ refers to the narrator of the story, Ruskin Bond. He thought so because
the tiger had a crafty look in his glittering eyes crouched his body and crept closer to the
author. Suddenly making a dash for his feet, he would roll over on his back and kick with
delight, and pretend to bite his ankles. He began to like the narrator.

Question 4. Where was Timothy most comfortable during the day? Where was he
during the night?
Solution:
Timothy was most comfortable on the long sofa in the drawing room during the day
which was his favourite place in the house. He slept at night in the cook‟s quarters.

Question 5. What was Grandmother‘s prophecy about the cook? Did it come true?
Solution:
Grandmother's prophecy about the cook was that one day Timothy would be sitting on the
cook's bed and would make a meal of the cook with his clothes and shoes left behind.
However it didn't come true because grandfather observed that the tiger had begun to stalk
Mahmoud about the house with a villainous intent and immediately transferred him to a zoo.

Question 6. What made Grandfather decide to transfer Timothy to the zoo?

Solution:
When Timothy was about six months old, he grew less friendly. When the author would
take him out for a walk, he would try to steal away to stalk a cat or someone‟s pet dog.
Sometimes at night they heard frenzied cackling from the poultry house, and in the morning,
feathers were found lying all over the verandah. And finally, when he began to stalk
Mahmoud about the house with a villainous intent, grandfather decide to transfer Timothy to
the zoo.
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Question 7. Why did Grandfather want Timothy to be put in another enclosure?
Solution:
A leopard in the next cage snarled at Timothy. Every time, the leopard would rush at the
bars and Timothy had to slink back to his corner. So, Grandfather wanted Timothy to be put
in another enclosure.

Question 8. What shocked Grandfather in the end?

Solution:
Grandfather visited the zoo after six months to see Timothy and went straight to the cage
where he was put in. Grandfather had asked the keeper to transfer Timothy to another cage,
he said that the tiger in the cage was not Timothy. He was informed by the zoo keeper that
his tiger Timothy had died two months ago, which shocked him in the end.

Discuss the following topics in groups.

Question 1. Shoot animals with a camera, not with a gun.

Question 2. Keeping pets helps us become more loving and tolerant. It also helps us
respect life in any form. Do you agree?

Question 3. .Have you heard of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
(SPCA)? What do they do?
Solution 1:
Nature‟s our best teacher in life. The flora and fauna, it`s diversity as great learning in it.
By hunting them for sport or food is cruelty and thereby create imbalance in the ecosystem.

Solution 2:
I totally agree with this. When children are introduced to pets at an earlier age they are
used to treating them with empathy and compassion. They take care of their hunger, thirst
and other needs. They respect and love their furry friends and life in any form.

Solution 3:
The SPCA protects animals in danger and provides shelter for stray, orphaned animals. They
offer pet care, treatment, medicines and prevent cruelty towards animals and deals with
animal adoption

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 An Alien Chapter – 10
An Alien Hand

Comprehension Check
Question 1. How does Tilloo manage to find his way to the ‗forbidden passage‘?
Solution:
Tilloo was very inquisitive to know what was so dangerous in the place where his father
worked. When Tilloo‟s father was enjoying a siesta at home, he managed to get hold of his
security card and by evading his watchful mother‟s eye, Tilloo made his way to the
forbidden passage.

Question 2. What did Tilloo hope to see once he emerged from his underground
home?
Solution:
Tilloo hoped to see the sun if it was day or the stars if it was night once he emerged from
his underground home.

Question 3. Why did Tilloo‘s father advise him not to try to reach the surface of the
planet?
Solution:
Tilloo‟s father was not angry or upset with his son`s inquisitiveness. Instead he advised
Tilloo not to try to reach the surface of the planet because an ordinary person could not
survive there. The air was too thin to breathe and temperature was so low that one could
freeze to death. Some special kind of clothing was necessary to survive in the planet
which had very less air and freezing temperatures.

Question 4. What changes had occurred, which forced people to live in underground
homes?
Solution:
The environment in which man lived gradually undrwent a change. Due to these changes the
temperatures rose very high. The sun`s heat was unbearable but man could sustain it due to
innovations in technology. He sought newer means to make life comfortable. However, the
change was sufficient to upset the balance of nature. Fish, birds and animals could`nt bear it
and became extinct. This forced people to live in underground homes.

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Comprehension Check
Question 1. Why was everyone in the Control Room greatly excited?
Solution:
Everyone in the Control Room was greatly excited because the big TV Screen showed a
dot in clear background which was heading towards the planet.

Question 2. Was the spacecraft manned or unmanned? How do you know it?
Solution:
The spacecraft was unmanned because number one reported to the president that they do not
contain living beings, they only have instruments.

Question 3. What did Number One and Number Two suggest should be done about
the alien spacecraft?
Solution:
Number One suggested that they should wait for the spacecraft to land and then render it
ineffective anytime it is required. But Number Two suggested that we should not
interfere and observe passively and not to reveal their existence by rendering the
spacecraft ineffective.

Comprehension Check
Question 1. (i) What do you think the mechanical hand was trying to do?
Solution:
The mechanical hand was trying to collect the sample of the soil from the planet for the
examination.
(xcvi) Tilloo pressed the red button and ―the damage was done‖. What was the damage?
Solution:
The damage was that the mechanical hand from the spacecraft ceased to work.

Question 2. Where had the spacecraft come from?

Solution:
The spacecraft had come from the Earth.

Question 3. On which planet do Tilloo and his parents live?

Solution:
Tilloo and his parents live on mars.

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Exercises

Discuss the following topics in groups.

Question 1. If you had to live in a home like Tilloo‘s, what parts of life would you find
most difficult? What compensations might there be? Solution:

The part of life I found most difficult is the freedom and open space. It will be like living in a
cell far away from open space. There was no sightseeing, social life and interactions with the
nature. I would want peace safety, freedom and a fearless place as compensations to live in.
As all of us would be living in such underground buildings, people must collaborate with
each other nicely.

Question 2. What, if anything, might drive mankind to make their homes

underground?
Solution:
Global warming, depletion of air and water, climatic changes, lack of natural resources to
fulfil man`s basic needs may destroy the life on the surface of the Earth and drive mankind
to make their homes underground.

Question 3. Do you think there is life on other planets? Can you guess what kind of
people there may be on them? In what ways are they likely to be different from us?
Solution:
Yes life on other planets is possible. Traces of water have been found on the satellite of
Saturn and evidences of life on Mars has been found in Mars in the past and present.
Large quantities of underground ice have been seen on Mars which proves it was
inhabited in the earlier times.

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