CBSE Class VII English (Poorvi) Unit 2: WIT AND HUMOUR — Animals, Birds, and Dr. Dolittle Questions and Answers

Unit 2: Wit and Humour - Animals, Birds, and Dr. Dolittle

Let us do these activities before we read

Figure 1: Body language and emotions of animals and birds

I. Do you have a pet or a domestic animal? If yes, why? If not, why not? How do people usually spend time with a pet or domestic animal? Share your thoughts with your classmates and the teacher.

This is an interactive discussion activity for students to share personal experiences. Sample classroom response:

• Yes, I have a pet dog because he brings joy to our home and keeps us company. (Or: No, I do not have a pet because my apartment is small.)
• People usually spend time with pets by feeding them, playing games like fetch, going for walks, grooming them, or simply sitting beside them.

II. You must have read stories where animals and birds talk. If you had a chance to communicate with an animal or a bird, who would you like to speak to and why? Share your thoughts with your classmates and the teacher.

This is a creative discussion prompt. Sample response:

I would like to speak to an eagle because I want to ask how it feels to fly high above the clouds and see the world from above.

III. If we closely observe the body language of animals and birds, we can understand what they want to tell us. Work in pairs and study the pictures given below [refer to Figure 1]. Find out what emotions these animals and birds are trying to convey. Share your observations with your classmates and the teacher.

1. Goose: Angry / Aggressive
2. Cat: Frightened / Scared / Defensive
3. Dog: Happy / Friendly / Playful
4. Parrot: Sleepy / Relaxed

Section I

Figure 2: Dr. Dolittle talking with the Cat's-food-Man in the kitchen

Figure 3: Polynesia teaching Dr. Dolittle the language of birds

Let us discuss (Section I)

I. Complete the following sentence by selecting a suitable reason:
The Cat's-food-Man suggests to Doctor Dolittle that he should become an animal doctor because he believes that Dolittle:

1. earns less fee by treating human patients
2. enjoys the company of animals as they speak less
3. dislikes spending time with human patients
4. knows more about animals than the local veterinarians

Correct Answer: 4. knows more about animals than the local veterinarians

II. Fill in the blanks by choosing the suitable option given in the brackets.
Doctor Dolittle reacts to Polynesia's information about animal languages with both excitement and ________ (certainty/curiosity). He rushes to ________ (write/memorise) the bird words she provides and is interested in learning more.

Doctor Dolittle reacts to Polynesia's information about animal languages with both excitement and curiosity. He rushes to write the bird words she provides and is interested in learning more.

III. Do you think Doctor Dolittle would be famous as an animal doctor? If yes, why? If not, why not?

Yes, Doctor Dolittle would be famous as an animal doctor. This is because he can understand and speak the language of animals. Since he can understand exactly where their pain is and how they feel, he can diagnose and cure them much better than anyone else.

Section II

Figure 4: People bringing sick animals to Doctor Dolittle

Figure 5: Dr. Dolittle prescribing green spectacles for a plough horse

Figure 6: Doctor Dolittle caring for animals in his garden

Let us discuss (Section II)

I. What became a common sight in Puddleby after Doctor Dolittle started treating animals?

1. Humans talking to farm animals
2. Farm animals wearing glasses
3. Farm animals learning bird language
4. Birds riding atop farm animals

Correct Answer: 2. Farm animals wearing glasses

II. What challenges do you think Doctor Dolittle might face if more and more animals come to him for help?
1. How might he overcome these challenges to ensure that he provides good treatment?

Challenges: Overcrowding, lack of space in his house/garden, long waiting times, and managing different species at the same time.

Overcoming Challenges: As shown in the text, he makes special separate doors and entrances (like a tunnel for mice) so each animal group has its own space, and he manages them systematically.

III. Arrange the following events in correct order according to the story. Two have been done for you. Share your answers with your classmates and the teacher.

S.No.	Event	Order
1	Doctor Dolittle decides to stop being a doctor for people and becomes a doctor for animals.	(iv)
2	Animals from near and far come to Doctor Dolittle for help, crowding his garden.	(vii)
3	A man with a stomach-ache visits Doctor Dolittle and suggests he should treat animals instead of people.	(i)
4	Polynesia teaches Doctor Dolittle animal languages, and he starts understanding and communicating with animals.	(iii)
5	A plough horse with vision problems visits Doctor Dolittle, who prescribes green spectacles, to improve the horse's eyesight.	(vi)
6	The parrot, Polynesia, encourages Doctor Dolittle to become an animal doctor, revealing that animals can talk.	(ii)
7	Doctor Dolittle installs special doors for different animals to enter his house for treatment.	(viii)
8	Doctor Dolittle's ability to communicate with animals helps him diagnose and treat their illnesses effectively.	(ix)
9	Doctor Dolittle gains fame among animals worldwide, and they come to him from various places for his help.	(x)
10	Word spreads, and people start bringing their sick pets and farm animals to Doctor Dolittle for treatment.	(v)

Correct Chronological Sequence:

1. A man with a stomach-ache visits Doctor Dolittle and suggests he should treat animals instead of people.
2. The parrot, Polynesia, encourages Doctor Dolittle to become an animal doctor, revealing that animals can talk.
3. Polynesia teaches Doctor Dolittle animal languages, and he starts understanding and communicating with animals.
4. Doctor Dolittle decides to stop being a doctor for people and becomes a doctor for animals.
5. Word spreads, and people start bringing their sick pets and farm animals to Doctor Dolittle for treatment.
6. A plough horse with vision problems visits Doctor Dolittle, who prescribes green spectacles, to improve the horse's eyesight.
7. Animals from near and far come to Doctor Dolittle for help, crowding his garden.
8. Doctor Dolittle installs special doors for different animals to enter his house for treatment.
9. Doctor Dolittle's ability to communicate with animals helps him diagnose and treat their illnesses effectively.
10. Doctor Dolittle gains fame among animals worldwide, and they come to him from various places for his help.

Let us think and reflect

Figure 7: Polynesia the parrot

I. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.

1. "If I say, 'Polly wants a cracker', you understand me. But hear this: Ka-ka oi-ee, fee-fee?"
"Good Gracious!" cried the Doctor. "What does that mean?"
"That means, 'Is the porridge hot yet?'-in bird language."
"My! You don't say so!" said the Doctor. "You never talked that way to me before."
"What would have been the good?" said Polynesia, dusting some cracker crumbs off her left wing. "You wouldn't have understood me if I had."

(i) Complete the sentence by choosing the correct option:
In the line, "Good Gracious!" cried the Doctor, the expression 'Good Gracious' can be replaced by:
A. bravo! B. gosh! C. alas! D. hurray!

Correct Answer: B. gosh!

(ii) Why had Polynesia never used bird language with the Doctor earlier?

Because the Doctor would not have understood her if she had used bird language before.

(iii) Identify whether the following statement is true or false:
Polynesia had been munching on a food item while talking to Doctor Dolittle.

True (Text states she was dusting cracker crumbs off her left wing).

(iv) How did Doctor Dolittle feel according to the extract?
A. anxious B. surprised C. angry D. relaxed

Correct Answer: B. surprised

2. "I would like a pair like yours," said the horse-"only green. They'll keep the Sun out of my eyes while I'm ploughing the field."
"Certainly," said the Doctor. "Green ones you shall have."
"You know, the trouble is, Sir," said the plough horse as the Doctor opened the front door to let him out-"the trouble is that anybody thinks he can doctor animals-just because the animals don't complain. As a matter of fact, it takes a much cleverer man to be a really good animal doctor than it does to be a good people's doctor."

(i) Choose a word from the extract to complete the analogy:
digging : flower bed :: ________ : field

ploughing

(ii) Choose the correct word to complete the sentence:
Doctor Dolittle's attitude in the extract is:
A. respectful B. sentimental C. understanding D. careful

Correct Answer: C. understanding

(iii) Complete the sentence with an appropriate reason:
Based on the extract, we can conclude that doctors take animals for granted because ________.

the animals don't complain.

(iv) Do you agree with the concluding sentence of the extract? Why/why not?

Yes, I agree. Treating animals requires greater observation and skill because animals cannot explicitly tell humans in words what hurts or where their problem lies, unlike human patients.

II. Answer the following questions.

1. How can we say that Polynesia was a good trainer of animal language?

Polynesia was a good trainer because she explained clearly how animals communicate not just with sound, but through body language like ears, feet, and tails. She taught Doctor Dolittle step by step, starting from the "Birds' A.B.C.", enabling him to master animal languages completely.

2. Explain how Doctor Dolittle gave equal and individual attention to each animal who came to him for treatment.

Doctor Dolittle provided special separate doors labeled for different kinds of animals ('HORSES', 'COWS', 'SHEEP') and even a tiny tunnel into the cellar for mice so that every creature had a dedicated, organized way to see him without being pushed aside.

3. How does Doctor Dolittle's readiness to follow the parrot's advice highlight the importance of listening to different viewpoints?

It shows that great ideas can come from anyone, regardless of who or what they are. By being open-minded and listening to Polynesia, Doctor Dolittle discovered a unique talent and career that made him happy and helped thousands of creatures.

4. Which qualities of Doctor Dolittle made him famous among the animals? Explain with evidence from the text.

Doctor Dolittle was patient, caring, and empathetic. Evidence from the text includes:

• He took the time to learn animal language and write it down carefully.
• He listened attentively to the plough horse's preference and made him green spectacles.
• He made special entrances for every animal, down to the tiny mice, ensuring everyone received treatment.

5. What changes do you think would happen in the world if people suddenly gained the ability like Doctor Dolittle, to understand and communicate with animals?

If people could talk to animals, humans would treat animals with much greater respect and empathy. Cruelty to animals would decrease, veterinary treatment would become far more accurate, and humans and animals would live together in much greater harmony.

Let us learn

I. Complete the following table correctly by choosing words from the box given below.
Box: sailor song, teatime, check-in, plough horse, harvest mice, windowsill, well-bred

Hyphenated Words	Open Compound Words	Closed Compound Words
check-in	sailor song	teatime
well-bred	plough horse	windowsill
	harvest mice

II. Create compound words from the table given below. Then, complete the paragraph with suitable compound words from the table.

Column A	Column B	Formed Compound Word
1. fun	(iv) loving	fun-loving
2. high	(iii) flying	high-flying
3. never	(vii) ending	never-ending
4. early	(v) risers	early-risers
5. song	(ii) birds	songbirds
6. over	(i) head	overhead
7. tree	(vi) tops	treetops

Paragraph Completion:

After being treated by Doctor Dolittle, the A. fun-loving dolphins danced playfully in his sanctuary. The B. never-ending chatter of monkeys echoed through the C. treetops. D. High-flying eagles soared gracefully E. overhead, their health restored. F. Early-risers among the G. songbirds chirped joyfully from the branches. All creatures were happy with Doctor Dolittle's care.

III. Underline the names of animals that are hidden in the sentences given below. Clues are given within the brackets.

1. Dr. Dolittle was eating oatmeal for his breakfast. (a farm animal) → mule (hidden in oatmeal / oatmeal → M-U-L-E) / goat (in eating oatmeal)
2. Old ladies began to bring him their pets. (an insect) → bee / ant (in bring ing / and) / wasp
3. The author sees the connection between humans and animals. (a farm animal) → cow (in connectiown / connection)
4. The three baby dinosaurs are from ice age. (field animal) → rat (in dinosaurs → r-a-t)
5. The patients who came late didn't know where to go. (ship of the desert) → camel (in came late)

Answers:

1. Dr. Dolittle was eating oatmeal for his breakfast. → Goat
2. Old ladies began to bring ants / the iris... → Ant (in bring ants) / Bee (in began)
3. The author sees the connect ion... → Cow
4. The three baby dinosaurs are from ice age. → Rat
5. The patients who came late didn't know where to go. → Camel

IV. Read the sentences below and identify the palindrome words and sentences.

1. Step on no pets.
2. Naman saw a race car at the show.
3. Nitin speaks in Malayalam.
4. The engineer used a rotator to check the surface level.
5. The pilot relied on the radar to navigate safely.
6. Eva can I see bees in a cave?

Palindrome Sentences:

• 1. Step on no pets.
• 6. Eva, can I see bees in a cave?

Palindrome Words:

• 2. Naman, race car
• 3. Nitin, Malayalam
• 4. rotator, level
• 5. radar

Create your own palindrome: "Madam, I'm Adam" or "Refer" / "Civic".

V. Underline the verbs and identify the tense form in the following sentences from the text.

1. He is asking you a question.
2. Oh, there are plenty of animal doctors.
3. I am going blind in one eye.
4. ...the trouble is that anybody thinks he can doctor animals.

1. is asking → Present Continuous Tense
2. are → Simple Present Tense
3. am going → Present Continuous Tense
4. is, thinks → Simple Present Tense

VI. Fill in the blanks using the correct form of verbs (present perfect) given within brackets.

Since becoming an animal doctor, Doctor Dolittle 1. ________ (learn) to communicate with all animals and birds. He 2. ________ (treat) countless farm animals and pets with care. The parrot, Polynesia, 3. ________ (teach) him bird-language, and he 4. ________ (write) books about his adventures. Many people 5. ________ (bring) their sick animals to his door. Over the years, Dolittle 6. ________ (become) renowned worldwide for his unique abilities.

1. has learned / has learnt
2. has treated
3. has taught
4. has written
5. have brought
6. has become

Let us listen

Figure 8: Animal Language Listening Illustration

I. You will listen to an announcement. As you listen, state whether the following statement is true or false.
Statement: Dr. Dolittle's new clinic presents an offer of free medicines.

False (The announcement states the clinic offers the best care, but does not mention free medicines).

II. You will listen to the announcement again. As you listen, complete the details given below with one or two exact words you hear.

1. The new clinic is located in the town of ________.
2. The address is 12, ________ Lane.
3. The clinic is open Monday to Friday from ________ a.m. to 5 p.m.
4. Special timings for ________ are on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
5. Dr. Dolittle will ensure that animals get the ________.
6. All animals—horses, cows, ________, wild animals, and others are welcome.

1. Woodstock
2. Rose
3. 9
4. birds
5. best care
6. pets

Let us speak

Figure 9: Cue cards for doctor-patient speaking activity

Practice a conversation between a doctor and a patient using the given cue cards for Problems 1-4.

Sample Dialogue (Problem 1: Cough and Cold):

Doctor: Good morning! Please have a seat. What brings you here today?

Patient: Good morning, Doctor. I'm not feeling well. I have a sore throat and a bad cough.

Doctor: How long have you had these symptoms?

Patient: For about two days now.

Doctor: I see. You have a mild cough and cold. I recommend taking a ginger and honey mix twice a day. Also, drink warm fluids and rest well.

Patient: Thank you, Doctor. Should I come back for a follow-up?

Doctor: Yes, visit again next Monday if it doesn't improve.

Patient: Okay, Doctor. Thank you very much!

Let us write

Write a notice in about 50 words about the Annual Health Check-up for students of Grades 6-8. Remind students to collect their health check-up cards from the class teacher. Include all other necessary details about date, time, and venue. Complete the draft using the given words/phrases.

ABC PUBLIC SCHOOL

NOTICE

12 July 20XX

Annual Health Check-up

This is to inform all the students of Grades 6-8 about the Annual Health Check-up.

Date: Thursday and Friday, 27 and 28 July 20XX

Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Venue: Assembly Hall

All students are requested to bring their health card for the check-up. For further details or queries, please contact the undersigned.

Asma
In-charge

Let us explore

I. The word 'goshala' translates to 'cowshed' in English. It is a Sanskrit word that is made up of the words 'go', which means 'cow', and 'śālā', which means 'shed' or 'hall'. Plan a visit with the teacher to a 'goshala' and find out how the cows are looked after.

This is an experiential field trip task to be conducted by students with their teacher.

II. Ayurveda is the oldest existing medical system in India. Animals received good medicinal care in ancient India. Indian medical treatises like Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Harita Samhita contain references of care of animals. Find out names of different organisations that work for the welfare of animals with the help of the teacher.

Animal Welfare Organisations:

• PETA India (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)
• Blue Cross of India
• SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)
• Friendicoes SECA
• Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI)

III. What is the best way to take care of stray and abandoned animals?
1. Provide food and water for the animal
2. Take them to an animal shelter
3. Adopt them by taking them home
Give reasons for your responses.

All three options are valid depending on the situation:

• Providing food and water ensures immediate survival and basic relief for stray animals on the streets.
• Taking them to an animal shelter is ideal if the animal is injured or sick, as it ensures proper medical treatment and protection.
• Adopting them is the best long-term solution as it provides the animal with a loving home and lifelong care.