NEW GULF INDIAN SCHOOL

MAHBOULA

GRADE VII ENGLISH NOTEBOOK WORK

Fire: Friend and Foe

Word Meanings
1. smouldering: burning slowly without flame
2. extinguish: put out
3. bands: groups
4. equipment: things needed
5. cope: deal with; manage

Answer the following questions.

Question 1. What do you understand by the ‘flash point’ of a fuel?
Answer: Every fuel has a specific temperature at which it starts to burn. This specific temperature is
called the flash point or kindling temperature of the fuel.

Question 2. (i) What are some common uses of fire?

(ii) In what sense is it a “bad master”?
Answer: (i) Some common uses of fire are:

 It is used to produce electricity

 It is used for cooking.
 It is also used to heat our home in winters.
(ii) Fire is a “bad master” because if it is not under control, it can create huge damage to lives,
properties, forests, etc.

Question 3. What are the three main ways in which a fire can be controlled or put out?
Answer: Three main ways in which a fire can be controlled or put out are:

1. Stop the supply of the fuel.

2. Cool down the heat.
3. Stop the supply of oxygen.

Question 4. Why does a burning candle go out when you blow on it?
Answer: A burning candle goes out when you blow on it because when we blow air, we remove the
hot air around the flame bringing down its temperature below the flash point.

Question 5. Spraying water is not a good way of putting out an oil fire or an electrical fire. Why not?
Answer: Spraying water is not a good way of putting out an oil fire or an electrical fire. This is
because, if water is sprayed on an oil fire, oil will come on the top layer of water and will still burn.
As water flows quickly, it can take oil with it and thus increase the area where the fire can spread.
If water is sprayed on an electric fire, the person might get an electric shock and get killed.
Question 6. Before fire brigades were set out, how did the people try to put out fire?
Answer: Before the fire brigade came into the picture people used to extinguish fire forming human
chain. Everyone was a fireman in that scenario. People used to pass buckets filled with water from a
pond or well to the other and the person at the extreme end used to pour it over the flames.

Question 7. Power needs control. Do you agree or not. Give you response in reference to the text.
Answer: Every powerful thing or person can be controlled and checked from time to time. For
example, fire is so useful in our day to day lives that human existence is impossible without fire yet it
can destroy things. So its power should be checked before getting out of control. Establishment like
fire brigade are so helpful. Vigilance and alertness can stop from a turning of a friend into a foe.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1. What are some of the things you should do to prevent a fire at home and in the school?
Answer: Some of the things we should do to prevent a fire at home and in the school:
(i) Precaution is better than cure. We should be alert about the use of inflammable substances and
handle it with care.
(ii) There is always a possibility of catching fire in old buildings of home and school due to short
circuits. Therefore, over loaded wired should be replaced with new ones and Fuse should be checked
at regular intervals.
(iii) By spreading knowledge about the handling of fuel, its flash point and about its protection after
an accident.
(iv) Fire extinguisher should be installed and old wiring must be replaced. Keeping the contact
number of fire police on speed dial, in case if an accident takes place.
(v) Never taking the little accident of fire lightly as it may lead to a greater one and finding a way out
so that it may not happen in future. Not storing inflammable or combustible things like kerosene and
petrol in our homes and in the school.

************