Grade 7 English Paper 2

Chapter: Neighbour
Word meanings:
1. Silhouetted – made him appear as a dark outline against the light outside
2. Rasping – harsh and unpleasant
3. Shielded – protected
4. Intruder – someone who enters without permission
5. Turmoil – great confusion
6. Hurled – kicked with force
7. Thud – dull, heavy sound
8. Rampage – move through a place in a group
9. Rubbish – garbage
10. Discarded – that had been thrown
11. Exhaustion – extreme tiredness
12. Raucous – sounding loud and harsh
13. Peered – looked closely
Questions and answers:
2. (a) When Tutu searched the bedroom, do you think he was actually hoping to find the girl
and her grandfather? Why do you think so?
Ans: Yes, he was hoping to find them so that he could save them from the mob.
(b) Why is the grandfather’s attempt to hide his coughing described as being ‘in vain’?
Ans: The attempt was in vain because he could not control his coughing and ended up
revealing his presence to Tutu.
(c) The girl stared unbelievingly at the intruder because she
Ans: (i) realised that he was the neighbour’s son
(d) How did Tutu prevent the other en from finding out that the old man and the girl were
hiding in the room?
Ans: Tutu caught the girl and clamped her mouth shut. He hid her while talking to the other
men and lied to them about the room being empty. He pretended to be frustrated at not
finding anyone by kicking and banging furniture. He directed the men to the upper floor.
(e) The girl was reluctant to escape from her home because she
Ans: (ii) did not want to leave her grandfather behind
(f) Why did the girl breakdown and cry on reaching her neighbour’s home?
Ans: The girl broke down because she was afraid. She had narrowly escaped a dangerous
situation but her grandfather was still stuck. She was anxious about his safety. She must
have been frustrated for she was helpless and could do nothing to get her grandfather out of
that place.
Learn to infer—1 (page 152)
(a) Why are the sounds in the streets outside the neighbour’s home been described as
‘voices filled with hatred and aggression’?
Ans: The sounds have been described as filled with hatred and aggression because they
reflect the mood of the mob. The mob had been smashing glass, breaking wood and
making a ruckus wherever it went. It sounded like a violent group of people.
(b) Why did grandfather include Tutu in the list?
Ans: He includes Tutu in the list because all three of them had escaped a dangerous
situation. In helping the girl and her grandfather, Tutu had lied to the angry mob and
could have been hurt himself for this. However, he decided to help them. This act of
his had made him almost a family member for the girl and her grandfather.
Chapter: War and Freedom
Word meanings:
1. Torturous – troublesome
2. Mentor – a trusted counsellor or teacher
3. Craggy – rocky or stony
 4. Hoist – lift
5. Casualties – dead people in as accident or war
6. Thatched – roof covered with straw
7. Bereft – tired
8. Fuelled – encouraged
Questions and Answers:
1. Ram Singh mentions two losses that he had suffered in the Kargil war. What are they?
Ans: The two losses that Ram Singh suffered were the loss of one of his legs and the death
of his mentor, Captain Ranjeet Verma.
2. Of the two losses he mentions, which one has affected him the most?
Ans: Of the two losses mentioned, the one that affected him more was the death of Captain
Ranjeet Verma. It was his death that compelled Ram Singh to give up his job and inspire
people in his village like his mentor had inspired him. He decided to bring awareness and
education in his village.
3. In which place and which unit did Ram Singh fight?
Ans: Ram Singh fought in the Medical corp at Kargil.
4. The phrase ‘stilled their tongue’ means
Ans: (b) Ram Singh and the Major were quiet because they were reminded of the war and
the losses they had suffered
5. When the Major made him the offer of the job, Ram Singh felt
Ans: (d) nervous
6. ‘I made a mistake at Kargil, Sir.’ What mistake is Ram Singh referring to?
Ans: The mistake Ram Singh was referring to was that of not rescuing Captain Verma first.
7. The Major describes Dr Ranjeet as a ‘promising young man.’ He means that
Ans: (b) Dr Ranjeet could have had a bright future in the army if he had survived the war.
8. Do you think Ram Singh’s village was a prosperous one? Give reasons for your
answer.
Ans: No, Ram Singh’s village was not a prosperous one because Major Rajan
mentioned that Ram Singh was the only employed person from his village and
the only person who knew something of life outside of the village. It is also
mentioned that his village had thatched huts bereft of any comforts, where people
slept on stony ground. There was no source of clean water so the women had to
walk miles to fetch water while the children just hung around listlessly instead of
going to schools.
9. The Major tells Ram Singh, ‘You have identified your enemy.’ Who or what is the
Major referring to?
Ans: Major Rajan is referring to the poverty, ignorance and injustice that is prevalent in
the villages of our country.
Learn to infer—2 (page 160)
1. ‘You have your own war to fight.’ What is the war being referred to by the Major?
How could Ram Singh fight the war?
Ans: The war that Major Rajan refers to is the war against poverty, ignorance and
injustice. Ram Singh could fight the war by being an inspiration to the people in his
village just as Captain Verma had been for him. Ram Singh could assist in the
digging of wells and setting up schools. He could help in facilitating the access to
basic amenities.
2. What does the Major mean when he says that the fight against poverty, ignorance
and injustice is far more difficult than the one they fought two years ago?
Ans: The war the army fought was a temporary war and the opponent was familiar.
However, the war against poverty, ignorance and injustice would involve day-to-day
struggle against a faceless enemy within our own nation. It is a war that requires a
change in attitudes and the very structure of society. It is a war that has no definite
end and must be fought continuously.

Chapter: Mother’s Day

Learn to read—2 (page 134)
1. When the play opens, Mrs Pearson is unhappy because she
Ans: (d) is ill-treated by her own family in her own house
1. Do you think she has done the right thing by sharing her problem with Mrs.
Fitzgerald? Why do you think so?
Ans: Yes, she has done the right thing by sharing her problem because it has led to a
solution and an improvement in the situation. Mrs Pearson’s family is thoughtless and
selfish. They treat her like a servant in the house and take her for granted without
appreciating what she does. One sometimes needs support to voice one’s opinions. Instead
of being silent and suffer, it is advisable to seek help.
2. The family take Mrs Pearson for granted, that is, they are so used to her that they do
not recognise her true value anymore and do not show that they are grateful. Pick out
at least three examples of this from the play.
Ans: Doris expects her tea to be ready and dress ironed when she arrives home. Cyril
thinks his eight hours of work are significant unlike the work his mother does at home.
George is rude to his wife and her friend.
3. When the two ladies exchange personalities, what changes appear in Mrs Pearson’s
personality? Do these changes help her to achieve her objective of improving her
family’s behaviour towards her?
Ans: Mrs Pearson now becomes bold, firm and spirited. Yes, when she refuses to be
treated badly, they change their behaviour towards her.
4. What changes does Mrs Pearson want in her family’s behaviour and attitude? Do you
think her demands are reasonable?
Ans: She would like them to be home more often, give her a hand with supper, play a
game of rummy and appreciate what she does. Yes, her demands are reasonable
because she deserves dignity and respect for all the work she puts in for the family.
5. George Pearson, Doris and Cyril are taught a lesson that they will never forget. Do
you agree?
Ans: Yes, her husband and children are given a dose of their own medicine and made to
realize what their usual behaviour feels like. I think they will not forget the treatment they
receive.
7. If you had been in Mrs Pearson’s place, how would you have solved the problem?
I would have spoken to them about how rude they were and refused to give in to their
unreasonable demands.
Chapter: The Festival of Eid
Word meanings:
1. Courtyard – an open area enclosed by walls or buildings
2. Customary – usual
3. Plummeting – falling quickly from a high level
4. Dismount – get off
5. Impressive – attractive
6. Smack – make a noise with lips
7. Flings – throw or move forcefully
8. Mendicants – beggar
9. Anxious – curious
10. Peculiar – strange
11. Selfless – not selfish
12. Gobbling – eating something very fast
Learn to read—2 (pages 52–53)
1. Wealth and status do not matter here. Why does the writer say this? What is he
talking about?
Ans: The writer says this because at the Eidgah everyone is considered equal. Both rich
and poor pray together. He is talking about the hundreds of people who have gathered at
the Eidgah on the day of Eid to offer prayers.
2. ‘One fall and they’ll break.’ Who says this? Why does he say this? What is he
referring to?
Ans: Hamid says this. He was referring to toys made of clay. He says this because even
though he was tempted to buy them, he did not want to spend the little money he had on
toys.
3. Hamid stops at the hardware shop because
Ans: (d) he wants to look at some tongs
 3. The children now realize that Hamid’s tongs are undoubtedly far superior to their
toys. How does this realization come about?
Ans: The realization came when they laughed at Hamid for buying tongs and he
explained how the tongs would last much longer than their clay toys. He also showed
them how the tongs could act as a gun or a pair of cymbals. He said the tongs could
reduce their toys to dust and was sturdier.
4. What happens to the toys that Hamid’s friends buy?
Ans: Mohsin’s water carrier was accidentally broken by his sister. Noorey’s lawyer fell
and broke into pieces. Mehmood’s soldier survived but had broken legs.
5. Why does Amena scold Hamid?
Ans: Ameena scolded Hamid because she thought he was foolish. He remained hungry
and thirsty to buy a pair of tongs.
6. Do you think Hamid bought the tongs to impress his grandmother? Why do you think
so?
Ans: No, he bought it because he was genuinely worried about his grandmother’s hands
and he wanted to help her. He knew the iron plate burnt her hands every time she baked
chapattis. He thought the tongs would be a useful addition to the household items.
7. Do you think Hamid did the right thing? Give reasons for your answer.
Ans: Yes, Hamid did the right thing because his loved his grandmother. He was
concerned about her and wanted to help her. He was only a child but he helped her in
whatever way he could.
Poem: Vocation
Word meanings:
1. Gong: medal
2. Hawker: one who sells his wares on the streets
3. Chasing: running after
Learn to appreciate the poem (pages 59–60)
1. Who is the speaker in the poem? How can you tell?
Ans: The speaker is a young child. We can say this because he mentions that every day
when he goes to school, he sees the bangle seller going by.
2. Why does the speaker wish to be a bangle seller?
Ans: He wishes to be a bangle seller so that he could walk around without having to
hurry, with no fixed route to take and no set time to come back home.
3. The speaker is attracted to the gardener’s job. Why?
Ans: The speaker is attracted to the gardener’s job because the gardener can do
whatever he likes with his spade, soil his clothes with dust, get baked in the sun or get
wet, without anyone to stop him from digging. No one scolds him for dirtying or wetting
his clothes.
4. Why does the speaker want to be a watchman?
Ans: The speaker wants to be a watchman so that he can walk up and down in the dark
and lonely lane at night with a lantern chasing shadows, and not go to bed.
5. The speaker is fascinated by each of the three professions. Given below Is the list of
persons he wants to be and a reason
Ans: (a) bangle seller—He does not have to hurry home. There is no fixed route he must
follow, neither a fixed time to return home.
(b) gardener—He can dirty his hands. He can dirty his clothes while using his spade and
nobody would scold him for that. He can do that when it is sunny or when it is raining. He
can dig for as long as he wants.
(c) watchman—He can walk the streets all night. He gets to carry a large lantern and does
not have to go to bed.
6. The poem refers to things that children are not usually allowed to do. Pick out at least
three more such references form the poem.
a. Children are not allowed to take whatever road they want.
b. Children are not allowed to dirty their clothes with dust.
c. Children are not allowed to stay up all night.
Poem: A Mother’s Love
Word meanings:
1. Soothe – make someone who is upset, feel calmer
 2. Faith – trust in something
3. Steadfast – constant/unfailing love
Learn to appreciate the poem (page 140)
1. This poem is about mother’s love helping one to cope with the psychological and
emotional problems faced during growing – up years. True or false?
Ans: True
2. There are times when only a mother’s love
Can understand our tears
Can soothe our disappointments
And calm all our fears.
(a) Who does ‘our’ refer to here?
Ans: ‘Our’ refers to everyone.
(b) Soothe our disappointments’ means, to comfort ad help take disppointments in
our stride. True or false?
Ans: True
(c) ‘Calm our fears’ means (Tick the correct answer)
Ans: ii to help us relax and overcome fear.
2. When something we’ve dreamed fear.
Quite suddenly is real.
(a) Does the poet feel that all our dreams are realized? How can you tell?
Ans: No, because he uses the word ‘something’ and not the word ‘everything’.
(b) How does one feel when one’s dreams are realized?
Ans: One feels happy and excited.
(c) Who or what according to the poet understands this state of mind?
Ans: A mother can understand this state of mind.
3. What helps one on life’s way?
Ans: A mother’s faith helps us.
4. Why does one need confidence ‘from day to day’?
Ans: We need confidence because it helps us to deal with the challenges and
disappointments that are a part of our day-to-day lives.
6. Complete the following sentences.
(a) Mother’s heart understands our fears and our disappointments
(b) Mother’s faith helps us to have confidence in our abilities
(c) Mother’s love shares our joys and achievements
7. Put a tick against the statements that are true about the poem.
(a) The poem is about a mother’s love. - True
(b) Mother understands why her child is sad -True
(c) Mother’s love can comfort us when we are emotionally disturbed - True
(d) Mother feels disappointed when her child does not do well - False
(e) Mother feels scared when we are calm - False
(f) Mother participates in our joys and sorrows - True
(g) Mother instils confidence in us to take on life’s challenges - True
(h) Mother’s faith in us guides us through ups and downs of life - True
(i) Angels sent Mother to us - False
(j) Mother is a gift of God to us - True
8. Do you like this poem? Why?
Yes, I like this poem because it puts into words how deeply our mothers affect our lives.
They may not make it apparent but make our lives so much better. It talks about how
important their place is in our lives is.
Poem : Neighbours
Word meanings:
1. Splendour – beauty
2. Grieve – feel sad about
3. Costive – stingy
4. Woes – troubles
5. Mellow – soften
6. Innards – internal organs of body
7. Brew – create
8. Perpetual – never ending
 9. Strife – trouble
Learn to appreciate the poem (page 167)
1. In the first line ‘open of heart’ means
Ans: (b) a man who is generous
2. According to the narrator the man being described in the first stanza will remain
happy and healthy all his life if he is mean to his neighbours. True or false?
Ans: False
3. The phrase ’his luck shall be with him whatever he strikes’ means
Ans: (b) he will be lucky in whatever he does
4. In the line, ‘The splendour of morning shall duly possess him, That he may not be sad a t
the falling of eve,’ the narrator is saying that one is kind to his neighbours will
Ans: (d) remain joyful and positive throughout the day.
5. Who is the woman referred to in ‘one woman shall grieve’?
Ans: The woman referred to is the wife of the generous man.
6. Pick out the lines that show that a bad neighbour will not be missed when he dies
Ans: ‘And his Widow shall skip when he goes underground!’
7. In the second stanza which two lines strike you as a curse?
Ans: ‘Him food shall not fatten, him drink shall not mellow;
And his innards shall brew him perpetual strife.’
8. A bad neighbour will be blind to God’s Glory and deaf to Earth’s Laughter.