CBSE Class VII English (Poorvi) Unit 4: Travel and Adventure — The Tunnel Questions and Answers

Unit 4: Travel and Adventure - The Tunnel

Figure 1: Student activities and learning illustrations.

Let us do these activities before we read

I. What kind of an adventure activity would you like to be a part of? Now, choose the option(s) that best applies to you.

1. How would you like to spend your weekends?
(i) Trying new activities
(ii) Reading a book
(iii) Spending time with friends
(iv) Learning something new

2. Which of these places would you prefer to explore?
(i) Dense forests and clear streams
(ii) Magical lands with fairies
(iii) Busy cities with interesting people
(iv) Quiet places to think and create

3. Which one of these activities would you prefer to do?
(i) Climbing a mountain or exploring a jungle
(ii) Finding a hidden treasure or discovering a secret world
(iii) Solving puzzles or guessing riddles with friends
(iv) Making something creative or building a model

4. What do you think about teamwork?
(i) I love leading the team.
(ii) I enjoy working with others.
(iii) I prefer sharing ideas with friends.
(iv) I like working alone.

Based on your choices, which of the following do you think applies the best to you? Discuss with your classmates.

• Bold Explorer
• Energetic Planner
• Imaginative Dreamer
• Thoughtful Creator

Answer: Students may select the persona that best matches their choices above (e.g., "Bold Explorer" for choosing options related to dense forests and mountain climbing, or "Thoughtful Creator" for quiet places and creative work).

Figure 2: The railway embankment and the entrance to the tunnel.

Figure 3: Suraj watching the train roar out of the tunnel.

Figure 4: The leopard in the forest near the railway line.

Figure 5: Sunder Singh and Suraj sitting on the cot outside the watchman's hut.

Let us discuss (Part I)

1. Suraj compares the train to a magical creature. Pick the phrases that convey the meaning.

The phrases that compare the train to a magical creature are:

• "two straight black serpents"
• "snorting and puffing like some green, black, and gold dragon"
• "some beautiful monster out of Suraj's dreams"

2. Suraj knew that the train was close by because _______________

he heard a sound like distant thunder issuing from the tunnel.

3. What did Suraj see inside the tunnel?

Inside the tunnel, Suraj saw damp and sticky walls, a bat flying past, and a lizard scuttling between the railway lines.

4. Select the correct option. What does Sunder Singh convey about the tunnel? He says that _______________ (it is damp and sticky inside / he has lent it to the Government).

Sunder Singh conveys that he has lent it to the Government.

5. The watchman has created a system through which he informs the locomotive driver about any danger in the tunnel. Refer to the text and complete the flow chart.

Figure 6: Flow chart of Sunder Singh's tunnel inspection process.

Completed Flow Chart Values:

• (i) Day
• (ii) No danger found / All is well
• (iii) Danger found
• (iv) Walks back up the line and waves a red flag
• (v) Hangs his lamp at the door of his hut and goes to sleep

Figure 7: Sunder Singh and Suraj confronting the crouching leopard inside the tunnel.

Figure 8: The night mail train charging out of the tunnel.

Let us discuss (Part II)

1. Sunder Singh knew that the leopard was in the tunnel because _______________

he heard a rhythmic sawing sound, as if someone was cutting through the branch of a tree.

2. Why do you think Suraj was unable to do any shouting in the tunnel in the beginning?

Correct Option: (i) He was afraid of the leopard. (His throat was completely dry from fear).

3. What made the leopard disappear into the darkness?

Suraj and Sunder Singh shouted together. The voices rang through the tunnel, making the leopard uncertain as to how many terrifying humans were there, so it turned swiftly and disappeared.

4. How did Suraj know Sunder Singh was at the tunnel?

Suraj saw the light of Sunder Singh's oil lamp outside near the cutting as the train passed by.

5. Why did Suraj's father take him along to Delhi?

Suraj's father was going on a business trip and took him along because he complained that Suraj wandered off most of the time and felt it was time the boy learnt something about his business.

Let us think and reflect

I. Read the following lines and answer the questions that follow.

1. "Suraj had to turn and look back at the opening to reassure himself that there was still daylight outside..."

(i) Write whether the statement is true or false: Suraj looked back at the opening of the tunnel to check if the train was coming.
Answer: False (He looked back to reassure himself that there was still daylight outside).

(ii) Choose the correct option: Suraj did not stop anywhere in the tunnel because _______________
Answer: A. there was nothing to see in the tunnel.

(iii) What does the sentence 'Till then, the cutting belonged to the jungle again' mean?
Answer: It means that in the absence of human activity or passing trains, the natural quietness and wild creatures of the jungle took over the space.

(iv) Suraj wanted to know the inside of the tunnel. What character trait of Suraj is highlighted here?
Answer: It highlights his curious and adventurous nature.

2. "The train will soon be here," said Suraj. "Yes, my friend. And if we don't drive the leopard out of the tunnel, it will be run over and killed..."

(i) What was the watchman's concern?
Answer: His concern was that the leopard inside the tunnel would be run over and killed by the approaching night mail train.

(ii) Complete the sentence with a suitable reason: Sunder Singh was sure that the leopard in the tunnel would not attack him and Suraj because _______________
Answer: the leopard knew him well, as they had seen each other many times, and it minded its own business.

(iii) Select the sentences that are true from those given below:
Answer:
B. Suraj is concerned about Sunder Singh's safety.
C. The leopard in the tunnel attacks goats and stray dogs.
D. Sunder Singh wants to protect Suraj.

(iv) Choose the correct option: Sunder Singh decides to take his axe with him. This tells us that he was _______________
Answer: B. cautious.

II. Answer the following questions.

1. What does Sunder Singh convey by saying that he has lent his tunnel to the Government?
He conveys a sense of personal pride and deep belonging to the place, suggesting that because he alone works there and looks after it, it truly belongs to him.

2. According to Sunder Singh, "It is safer in the forest than in the town". What example does Sunder Singh give to support his opinion? What does this tell us about him?
He explains that nothing ever happens to him out in the jungle, but when he went into town the previous month, he was almost run over by a bus. This shows he feels more comfortable, peaceful, and at home in nature than in crowded urban environments.

3. Sunder Singh has become part of the jungle life. Support the view with a suitable reason.
He understands the nocturnal animal sounds, knows the leopard's habits well without fearing it, and lives in harmony with his wild surroundings near the tunnel.

4. Sunder Singh and Suraj form an unlikely friendship. What draws them together?
They are drawn together by their shared love for watching the trains pass, their natural curiosity about the jungle, and their brave adventure of driving the leopard out of the tunnel together.

5. Why is Sunder Singh referred to as a 'firefly'?
He is called a firefly because, in the deep dark night of the forest, he carries a small lamp that lights up the darkness to protect passing trains and forest animals.

6. Do you think Suraj is an adventure-loving boy? Give reasons.
Yes, Suraj is adventurous. He cycles far out of town into the jungle, walks through a dark and sticky tunnel, and bravely insists on going with Sunder Singh into the tunnel at night to face a leopard.

Let us learn

I. Complete the following sentences using the suitable phrases from the text: [drifting smoke, approaching engine, sawing sound, flickering lights]

1. We could hear the approaching engine of the train long before it came into view at the station.
2. The street was completely dark but the little boy walked to his house guided by the flickering lights from the houses.
3. The sawing sound from the carpenter's workshop grew louder every hour.
4. From the balcony, she watched the drifting smoke from her neighbour's chimney float across the backyard.

II. Match the sound words with their meanings and complete the sentences.

Column 1	Column 2
1. creaking	(ii) making a long low sound when a door or wooden object moves or is moved
2. chatter	(iii) repeated series of short high sounds made by birds or monkeys
3. hissing	(i) making a noise like a long 's' sound
4. rustle	(v) a soft low, dry sound made by the movement of things such as leaves, paper, etc.
5. puffing	(iv) blowing with short, quick blasts, as the wind

Complete the sentences:

1. The steam engine reached the station puffing black smoke into the sky.
2. Suddenly the snake raised its hood and made a hissing noise.
3. When the wind blew, I heard the creaking of the wooden roof.
4. He heard a rustle of leaves behind him when he was walking in the woods.
5. I get disturbed by the continuous chatter of the monkeys in the neighbourhood.

III. Habitual actions in the past (Would vs Used to)

1. Why is the word 'would' used here?
Answer: (iii) to talk about a habit in the past.

2. Complete the paragraph using 'used to' or 'would':
When I was a child we used to live in a village near a forest. Back then, we (i) used to grow vegetables in our back garden. Every day we (ii) would get up early and go for a walk. The weather in summer (iii) used to be really nice. There was a lake near the house and we (iv) would go there every Sunday for a picnic. Winters (v) used to be rather cold. In the evenings, my father (vi) would tell us incredible stories and we (vii) would listen with admiration.

IV. Punctuate the following paragraph using semicolons and colons.

Punctuated Paragraph:
We explored the busy by-lanes of Charminar, the heart of Hyderabad; it was an exciting day. We wanted to do a few things: buy bangles, taste biryani, and purchase pearl earrings, which are special to this area. As we walked through the lanes, we saw stalls selling spices, clothes, and jewellery; the market was full of colours. We visited some famous spots: Charminar, Golconda Fort, Salar Jung Museum, and Chowmahalla Palace; each place was beautiful.

Let us listen

Figure 9: Museum map layout with numbered rooms for the treasure hunt.

Listen to the audio recording and mark the various rooms on the museum map.

Based on the transcript provided on page 176:

• Room 1: Library
• Room 2: Art Gallery
• Room 3: Weapons Room
• Room 4: Musical Instruments Hall
• Room 5: Auditorium (Hidden Treasure location)

Let us speak

Figure 10: Area map for providing directions from the railway station to the trekking site.

Role Play: Giving directions from the Railway Station to the Trekking Site.

Student A (Anju): Hello! Could you please guide me on how to reach the trekking site from the railway station?

Student B (Tour Manager): Sure! Start from the railway station and head straight past Lassi Corner. Turn right near the school and keep going straight until you reach the roundabout. Take the right turn at the roundabout heading past the Lake and Bird Sanctuary. Keep going straight on that path, and you will find the trekking site right ahead.

Let us write

Write a descriptive paragraph about your experience of a train journey.

My train journey began on a bright morning at the bustling railway station. As I boarded the carriage and found my window seat, the excitement began to build. Soon, the sharp whistle sounded, and the train slowly glided out of the platform. As we gained speed, the rhythmic clatter of wheels on the tracks created a comforting beat. Outside my window, green fields, small villages with flickering lights, and trees rushed past. Inside, vendors sold hot tea while passengers engaged in cheerful chatter. As the train crossed a river bridge with a deep rumble, I felt completely relaxed and fascinated by the beauty of the passing world.

Let us explore

Figure 11: South Portal of Atal Tunnel, Rohtang.

Key factual notes from the exploration section:

• Atal Tunnel: It is 9.02 km long, runs under Rohtang Pass on the Manali-Leh Highway, and is recognized as the world's longest highway tunnel above 10,000 feet.
• Indian Railways History: The first passenger train ran on 16 April 1853 between Bori Bunder (Mumbai) and Thane, covering 34 km with 13 carriages hauled by three locomotives: Sahib, Sultan, and Sindh. Delhi Junction opened in 1864.

CBSE Class VII English (Poorvi) Unit 3: Dreams and Discoveries — North, South, East, West Questions and Answers

Unit 9: North, South, East, West - Solutions

Let us do these activities before we read

I. Work in pairs. Discuss the place that you have enjoyed travelling to. Talk about who you went with, how you travelled, and what you learnt from the experience.

(Sample pair activity response for Grade 7 students)

I enjoyed travelling to Shimla with my parents and younger sister during the summer vacation. We travelled by train to Kalka and then took the historic toy train up to Shimla. From this experience, I learnt how people adapt to living in cold mountain regions, how unique hill station railways work, and how important it is to respect and protect nature.

II. Which State or Union Territory of India do you live in? Write the following details about it:

1. Part of the country
2. Its capital
3. Language
4. River(s)
5. Tourist attraction
6. Food

(Sample details based on Maharashtra State)

• 1. Part of the country: West
• 2. Its capital: Mumbai
• 3. Language: Marathi
• 4. River(s): Godavari, Krishna
• 5. Tourist attraction: Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Gateway of India
• 6. Food: Puran Poli, Pav Bhaji, Vada Pav

III. Work in pairs. Recall the names of the states of our country which have 'Pradesh' in their names. Mention if it is in the North, East, Northeast, West, South or Centre of our country. Recall any special feature about each 'Pradesh'. Share your answers with your classmates and the teacher.

First Part of the Name	Second Part of the Name	Part of the Country	Special Feature
Himachal	Pradesh	North	Known for quiet snow-capped mountains, colorful birds, and scenic cabin views.
Arunachal	Pradesh	Northeast	Known for thick green forests, treehouses, and red pandas.
Uttar	Pradesh	North	Home to historic monuments along the fertile Indo-Gangetic plains.
Madhya	Pradesh	Centre	Located in central India, known for rich wildlife, forests, and rivers like the Narmada.
Andhra	Pradesh	South	Located along the eastern coast, famous for historic sites like the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam.

Let us discuss

Complete the table given below based on Shaana's postcards. An example has been done for you.

Places Visited	Interesting Descriptions and Activities
1. Thajiwas glacier, Kashmir	white and blue glaciers; throwing snowballs
2. Himachal Pradesh	very quiet, viewing mountains from the cabin, listening to colorful birds chirping and hearing snoring mistaken for bears
3. Arunachal Pradesh	walking through a thick forest to reach the treehouse
4. Gujarat	hot, dry desert with sand everywhere like a beach without the sea; colorful and pretty clothes
5. The Narmada river	wild, fast water rafting that got Shaana completely wet
6. Chennai	learning how to surf, rougher waves, browner water, and splashing water on each other
7. Olaikaadu beach	floating and looking at the fish; Appa and Amma went for a dive

Let us think and reflect

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

Extract 1:
"Amma tells me that places like the Sundarbans are called wetlands. I never knew such a place existed, and that it was possible for trees called mangroves to grow in seawater! But Amma is sad about how much this place floods today.
We also saw crocodiles and a lonely snake while boating. I hope they don't follow us home.
How is everyone? Are you missing me yet?"

(i) What feeling does Shaana most likely experience when she says, "I never knew such a place existed..."?
A. pride
B. hope
C. relief
D. wonder

Answer: D. wonder

(ii) Complete the following sentence with a suitable reason:
Amma is sad about the frequent flooding in Sundarbans because ______.

Answer: Amma is sad about the frequent flooding in Sundarbans because of the environmental damage and trouble it causes to the unique wetland ecosystem and the people living there.

(iii) Select the evidence from the text that reflects a feeling of the speaker's slight nervousness.

Answer: The line "I hope they don't follow us home" reflects her slight nervousness after seeing crocodiles and a lonely snake.

(iv) Select the option that applies to both the Assertion and the Reason.
Assertion: The speaker is missing her friends.
Reason: The speaker wishes to know the well-being of her friends.
A. Both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason correctly explains the assertion.
B. Both the assertion and the reason are true, but the reason does not correctly explain the assertion.
C. The assertion is true, but the reason is false.
D. Both the assertion and the reason are false.

Answer: A. Both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason correctly explains the assertion.

Extract 2:
"Amma and Appa are fast asleep, and I should be sleeping too, but I just love looking out of the window. I think we're in the southwest part of the country, in Goa, and you won't believe how nice the plateaus look. There are so many hills here, and beaches too.
There are also a lot of tunnels that the train goes through. I used to be afraid of tunnels, but I'm not any more. Someday, I wish we could all go on a tour of the plateaus."

(i) Complete the sentence with a suitable reason:
The speaker chooses to stay awake because ______.

Answer: The speaker chooses to stay awake because she loves looking out of the window at night to admire the beautiful plateaus, hills, and scenery.

(ii) What does the speaker mean by saying, 'You won't believe how nice the plateaus look'?

Answer: She means that the plateaus are amazingly beautiful and impressive, far beyond what her classmates might imagine.

(iii) What has been the change in the speaker's attitude towards tunnels?
A. from fear to comfort
B. from courage to confidence
C. from doubt to clarity
D. from fascination to delight

Answer: A. from fear to comfort

(iv) Fill in the blanks with the correct option from those given in the brackets:
The speaker's wish to share the experience of touring the plateaus with others indicates her ______ (ability to communicate/sense of connection) as well as the value she places on ______ (shared experiences/updating information) with her peers.

Answer: sense of connection; shared experiences

II. Answer the following questions.

1. Shaana mentions that she used to be afraid of tunnels. What could have been the most likely reason for her to be scared of tunnels?

Tunnels are dark, enclosed, and noisy when a train passes through them, which can easily frighten young children until they get used to them.

2. Do you think Shaana's Appa and Amma enjoyed themselves, just like children do? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

Yes, Shaana's parents enjoyed themselves thoroughly like children. In Kashmir, they enjoyed throwing snowballs at each other. Later, on the way to Puducherry, they splashed water on each other and "behaved like children" while learning to surf.

3. Shaana mentions less snow in the glaciers and more flooding in the Sundarbans. Explain what these observations indicate.

These observations indicate changing environmental conditions and climate impacts across the country, showing that glaciers are melting/reducing over time and coastal wetlands are experiencing increased flooding.

4. Shaana's visits to different parts of the country highlight the diversity of India's geography. Support this statement with evidence from the text.

The text illustrates diverse landforms across India: cold glaciers in Kashmir, peaceful mountains in Himachal Pradesh, dense forests in Arunachal Pradesh, mangrove wetlands in West Bengal, hot sandy deserts in Gujarat, fast-flowing rivers in central India, coastal plateaus and beaches in Goa and Tamil Nadu.

5. How does Shaana use language to convey her excitement, curiosity, and sometimes her fears about the places she visits?

Shaana uses informal, lively, and expressive words such as exclamation marks ("You won't believe where I am!"), conversational questions ("Are you missing me yet?"), direct descriptions of emotions ("wild and scary" river, "scared of tunnels"), and humorous remarks (mistaking her father's snoring for bears).

6. What might Shaana have learnt from her travels across India? How would it impact her understanding of the country?

Shaana learnt about India's immense natural, geographical, and cultural diversity—including different landforms, weather patterns, traditional clothes, languages, and food. This experience broadened her perspective, making her realize that India is a rich blend of varied landscapes and vibrant cultures.

7. What could be the author's purpose of presenting the text in the form of postcards?

The postcard format keeps the narrative personal, authentic, and engaging for young readers. It allows the journey to be shared step-by-step through direct personal updates that reflect excitement and real-time reflections.

Let us learn

I. Read the words from the text given in Column 1 and match them with suitable pictures in Column 2.

Figure 1: Illustration of geography and travel vocabulary elements.

• 1. glaciers → (vi)
• 2. treehouse → (i)
• 3. wetlands → (v)
• 4. plateaus → (iv)
• 5. pebbles → (iii)
• 6. rafting → (ii)

II. Read the situations given in Column 1. Choose the associated words from the text given in the box below and write them in Column 2.

Box: blink, scary, existed, amazing, splashed, floating

Column 1	Column 2
1. In the middle of the night, the little boy heard a loud noise. He felt so afraid that he couldn't sleep.	scary
2. There used to be a bookstore near my house. But it is now shifted to the town.	existed
3. The flashes of light from the car made her suddenly close and open her eyes several times.	blink
4. The children jumped into the pool and threw water at each other with loud noises.	splashed
5. My grandmother's place is so beautiful with all green paddy fields and palm trees. It was a great experience.	amazing
6. When I looked up at the sky, the clouds were not staying at one place. They were moving across the sky.	floating

III. The following word grid has six words related to 'travel' used in the lesson. Circle the words in the grid. You can search horizontally and vertically. The last letter of each word has been highlighted.

The six travel-related words present in the word grid are:

• BOAT (Row 1, horizontal: B-O-A-T)
• DROVE (Row 2, horizontal: D-R-O-V-E)
• TRAIN (Row 5, horizontal: T-R-A-I-N)
• WALKED (Row 7, horizontal: W-A-L-K-E-D)
• RAFT (Row 3, horizontal: R-A-F-T)
• SEA (Row 6, horizontal: S-E-A)

IV. Read the following sentences from the text and underline the subject and the verb.

1. Amma and Appa are fast asleep.
2. It's hot, dry, and there is sand everywhere.
3. There are so many hills here, and beaches too.

1. Subject: Amma and Appa | Verb: are
2. Subject: It | Verb: 's (is) AND Subject: sand | Verb: is
3. Subject: so many hills ..., and beaches too | Verb: are

V. Choose the correct option from the words given in the brackets.

1. A pair of sunglasses is essential when travelling to sunny destinations.
2. Either the tour guide or the tourists have to arrive first at the meeting point.
3. The information on travel expenses is useful for first-time travellers.
4. Neither the flight crew nor the pilot was aware of the delay.
5. The news about the heavy rains makes many people reconsider their vacation plans.
6. A pair of binoculars is useful for spotting wildlife on a safari.
7. The hill stations in India remain a popular travel destination during winter.
8. Keeping accounts is important for spending money wisely during travel.
9. Either the ticket or the bus passes need to be used for travelling in the tourist bus.
10. Neither the passengers nor the taxi driver was aware of the best route to the hotel.

Let us listen

Listen to the speaker talk about Agartala and agarwood, and choose the correct option for each question.

1. What does the word 'Agartala' mean?
(i) under the agar tree
(ii) beside the agar tree
(iii) around the agar tree
Answer: (i) under the agar tree

2. Which of these is another name for agarwood trees?
(i) gharuwood
(ii) sandalwood
(iii) rosewood
Answer: (i) gharuwood

3. What kind of smell does agarwood have?
(i) woody and citrusy
(ii) woody and flowery
(iii) fresh and citrusy
Answer: (ii) woody and flowery

4. How is agarwood formed?
(i) when the tree dries
(ii) when the tree dies
(iii) when the tree gets infected
Answer: (iii) when the tree gets infected

5. What is agarwood used to make?
(i) incense and edible oil
(ii) perfumes and wood carvings
(iii) gum and candies
Answer: (ii) perfumes and wood carvings

Let us speak

Work in pairs and tell each other about your preferences with respect to the questions using the provided sentence frames.

(Sample paired speaking exchange)

• Student A: I prefer travelling by train to travelling by bus because it is more comfortable and scenic.
• Student B: I would rather go on a family trip than a school trip because I get to spend quality time with my parents.
• Student A: Mountains appeal to me more than beaches as I love cool weather.
• Student B: Given a choice, I would go for adventure activities over sightseeing as they are much more thrilling.

Let us write

Imagine that you have to travel to your hometown to attend a family event. Write an application to the Principal of your school, requesting leave of absence using the given template format.

House No. 124, MG Road
Guwahati
Assam
10 October 2026

The Principal
Sunshine Public School
Guwahati
Assam

Subject: Request for leave for 3 days

Dear Madam,

I am writing to request 3 days leave with effect from 12 October 2026 to 14 October 2026 in order to attend a family function at my hometown.

I would like to assure you that I would complete all my missed classwork and homework with the help of my classmates as soon as I return.

I would be grateful if you could grant me the leave.

Yours sincerely,
Shaana Roy
Class VII-A, Roll No. 18

Let us explore

I. Solve the crossword puzzle by identifying the States and Union Territories of India using the clues given.

Across:

• 2. Pangong Lake → LADAKH
• 7. Thar Desert → RAJASTHAN
• 9. Serenity Beach → PUDUCHERRY
• 11. Hampi → KARNATAKA
• 12. Nagarjuna Sagar Dam → TELANGANA / ANDHRA PRADESH
• 14. Thangka Paintings → SIKKIM
• 15. Rann of Kutch → GUJARAT
• 16. Nalanda University → BIHAR

Down:

• 1. Dampa Tiger Reserve → MIZORAM
• 3. Cellular Jail → ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS
• 4. Double Decker Living Root Bridge → MEGHALAYA
• 5. Dudhsagar Falls → GOA
• 6. Gangotri Glacier → UTTARAKHAND
• 8. Chilika Lake → ODISHA
• 10. Chota Nagpur Plateau → JHARKHAND
• 13. Kurukshetra → HARYANA

II. Find out about unique places in your village, region, or state and share details with your classmates and teacher.

Figure 2: UNESCO World Heritage Monuments - Kailasa Temple, Ellora and Rani-ki-Vav, Patan.

(Sample response)

In our state, Maharashtra, one unique ancient place is the Kailasa Temple at Ellora, carved directly out of single basalt cliffs. Another historic site in Gujarat is Rani-ki-Vav in Patan, an intricate multi-storey stepwell designed anciently for water storage and artistic architecture.

III. In groups of four, find out about the Hornbill Festival—when it is held, who participates in it, what its purpose is, what events are held, etc.

Figure 3: The Great Hornbill bird representing cultural heritage in Nagaland.

• When it is held: Annually from 1st to 10th December.
• Where: Kisama Heritage Village near Kohima, Nagaland.
• Who participates: All indigenous tribes of Nagaland.
• Purpose: To encourage inter-tribal interaction and showcase the rich cultural heritage and traditions of Nagaland.
• Events held: Traditional dances, folk music, ethnic crafts exhibitions, traditional sports, food stalls, and cultural performances.

CBSE Class VII English (Poorvi) Unit 3: Dreams and Discoveries — Paper Boats Questions and Answers

Unit 3: Dreams and Discoveries — Paper Boats

Paper boats floating down a running stream past lush trees and grass.

Let us do these activities before we read

I. Read the questions given below. Share your answers with your classmates and the teacher.
1. What comes to mind when you think about 'paper boats'?
2. What do you think someone might hope for when they send a paper boat down a stream?
3. Read the title of the poem 'Paper Boats' and predict what the poem might be about.

1. When I think about 'paper boats', I think of rainy days, playing in water streams, childhood fun, and floating handmade paper craft.
2. Someone sending a paper boat down a stream might hope that it travels far safely, reaches unknown places, or carries a message or flowers to a friend.
3. The poem 'Paper Boats' might be about a child who makes paper boats, floats them down a stream, and imagines their journey and destination.

II. Read the given paragraph and match the highlighted words with their meanings given in the box below.
Meanings in box: loading, speedily flowing, swelling, putting, bouncing

I love to play beside a 1. running stream at a short distance from my grandparent's house. I love to see it 2. skipping along to join a river. On the river, I can see boats with 3. bulging sails moving swiftly. Some of them take the people from one shore to the other while in some of them people can be seen 4. lading things too. I can spend hours watching the busy river and dreaming about them, 5. burying my head in my pillow at night.

1. running — speedily flowing
2. skipping — bouncing
3. bulging — swelling
4. lading — loading
5. burying — putting

Let us discuss

I. Choose the correct words from the brackets to complete the summary of the poem given below.
The poet sends paper boats down a 1. ____ (stream/river) each day, writing his name and the name of his 2. ____ (school/village) on them. He hopes that someone in a 3. ____ (strange/familiar) land will find them and know who he is. The poet fills his boats with 4. ____ (rose/shiuli) flowers from his garden, hoping they will be safely carried to another land at 5. ____ (night/morning). As he launches his boats, he imagines that the 6. ____ (clouds/birds) in the sky are like friends, racing with his boats. At night, he dreams that his paper boats continue to 7. ____ (swim/float) under the midnight stars, with the fairies of sleep sailing in them, their baskets full of 8. ____ (dreams/fruits).

1. stream
2. village
3. strange
4. shiuli
5. night
6. clouds
7. float
8. dreams

II. Choose the correct option for the following.
The theme of the poem is:
1. innocence    2. imagination    3. ignorance    4. playfulness    5. travel
(i) 1, 2 and 3
(ii) 3, 4 and 5
(iii) 1, 4 and 5
(iv) 1, 2 and 4

(iv) 1, 2 and 4 (innocence, imagination, and playfulness)

III. Identify whether the following statement is true or false.
The setting of the poem is a natural, outdoor environment.

True

IV. Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct word given within the brackets.
The tone is ____ (sad and serious/gentle and wishful) and the mood is ____ (thoughtful/boring).

The tone is gentle and wishful and the mood is thoughtful.

V. Identify the examples of alliteration from the poem.

Examples of alliteration from the poem include:

• "big black letters" (repetition of /b/ sound)
• "blooms of the dawn will be" (repetition of /b/ sound)
• "see the little clouds setting" (repetition of /s/ sound)

VI. Fill in the blanks with suitable words from the poem.
1. The repetition of words ____ emphasises the passage of time.
2. The poet uses imagery like ____ and ____ to create a clear picture in the minds of the readers.

1. "Day by day" (or "one by one" / "on and on")
2. "shiuli flower" and "white bulging sails" (or "running stream" / "midnight stars")

VII. Match the descriptions in Column 1 with what they symbolise in Column 2.

Column 1	Column 2
1. the child's innocence, dreams, hopes, and messages sent out into the world	(i) midnight stars
2. purity, beauty, and the start of a new day	(ii) paper boats
3. the vast universe and the child's dreams continuing through the night	(iii) shiuli flowers

• 1. the child's innocence, dreams, hopes, and messages sent out into the world — (ii) paper boats
• 2. purity, beauty, and the start of a new day — (iii) shiuli flowers
• 3. the vast universe and the child's dreams continuing through the night — (i) midnight stars

Children contemplating questions about the poem.

Let us think and reflect

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

"When night comes I bury my face in my arms and dream that my paper boats float on and on under the midnight stars.
The fairies of sleep are sailing in them, and the lading is their baskets full of dreams."

(i) Select the option that is most likely to be the speaker as per the extract.
A. A young child
B. An old sailor
C. A fairy
D. A star

(ii) What can be inferred about the speaker's feelings when night comes?

(iii) What kind of beings are the 'fairies of sleep' imagined as? Select the most appropriate option.
A. mischievous    B. gentle    C. fearsome    D. playful

(iv) Fill in the blank by selecting the correct option from those given in the brackets:
The phrase 'lading is their baskets full of dreams' suggests that the speaker imagines the fairies of sleep carefully ____ (carrying his dreams / collecting his wishes) in their baskets.

(i) A. A young child

(ii) When night comes, the speaker feels peaceful, imaginative, and hopeful as he drifts to sleep dreaming about his boats.

(iii) B. gentle

(iv) carrying his dreams

II. Answer the following questions.

1. Why do you think the poet writes his personal details on the paper boats?
2. The poet talks about the imagination of a child. Support this view with examples from the poem.
3. How does the poet bring together imagination and reality to make the poem more interesting?

1. The poet writes his name and village name on the paper boats so that someone in a distant, unknown land who finds them will know who he is and connect with him.
2. The child imagines that the bulging white clouds in the sky are set by a playmate to race with his paper boats, and that at night, fairies of sleep sail in his boats carrying baskets full of dreams.
3. The poet combines the realistic activity of making and floating paper boats with shiuli flowers with imaginative ideas like clouds racing the boats and fairies carrying dreams under midnight stars.

Let us learn

I. Combine words from Column 1 and Column 2 with 'of' to create as many phrases as possible in Column 3.

Column 1	'of'	Column 2	Column 3 (Phrases)
wings waves dreams songs glimmers cries tears roars shadows	of	the birds the wind the evening the children the rain the stars the thunder the ocean the clouds	Example: wings of the wind [Fill in more phrases]

Here are suitable phrase combinations:

• wings of the birds / wings of the wind
• waves of the ocean
• dreams of the children
• songs of the birds / songs of the evening
• glimmers of the stars
• cries of the children / cries of the wind
• tears of the rain
• roars of the thunder / roars of the ocean
• shadows of the clouds / shadows of the evening

II. Categorise the time words into the appropriate columns:
Words: twilight, dawn, nightfall, sunset, noontime, night-time, dusk, sunrise, noon, daybreak, midnight, sunup, forenoon, sundown, noonday, midday

Morning	Afternoon	Evening	Night
[Fill in]	[Fill in]	[Fill in]	[Fill in]

Morning	Afternoon	Evening	Night
dawn sunrise daybreak sunup forenoon	noontime noon noonday midday	twilight sunset dusk sundown	nightfall night-time midnight

III. Match the words from the text given in Column 1 with their opposites in Column 2.

Column 1	Column 2
1. strange	(i) halt
2. dawn	(ii) emptying
3. launch	(iii) sink
4. bulging	(iv) dusk
5. float	(v) ordinary
6. lading	(vi) shrinking

• 1. strange — (v) ordinary
• 2. dawn — (iv) dusk
• 3. launch — (i) halt
• 4. bulging — (vi) shrinking
• 5. float — (iii) sink
• 6. lading — (ii) emptying

An artistic craft of a bird made entirely using natural dry leaves.

Let us listen

Select the true statements from 1–7 based on the conversation between Sai and her father about origami:

1. Sai was trying to make an origami boat.
2. Sai's father used to do origami as a child.
3. Paper was very expensive so it was used only for special occasions.
4. People have been making paper cranes for thousands of years.
5. There is a belief that if you make a thousand paper cranes, your wish will come true.
6. The art of origami is about enjoying the process.
7. Sai's father suggests making a paper bookmark next time.

The TRUE statements are:

• Statement 2: Sai's father used to do origami when he was her age.
• Statement 3: In early Japanese history, paper was very expensive and used for special occasions.
• Statement 5: There is a belief that folding a thousand paper cranes allows you to make a wish that comes true.
• Statement 6: Origami is about the process, patience, and creativity involved.

(Note: Statement 1 is False — Sai was trying to make an origami crane, not a boat. Statement 4 is False — People started making animals/cranes for fun in the 17th century, hundreds of years ago. Statement 7 is False — Sai's father suggested making an origami paper boat next time, not a bookmark.)

Let us speak

Create any craft item using eco-friendly materials. Make a presentation in front of your classmates and teacher about the craft item you have made using the provided guidelines and phrases.

Sample Presentation:

Today, I'm going to show you a leaf bird craft I made. This craft is made of dried fallen leaves, small twigs, and eco-friendly glue. It's brown and orange in color, shaped like a small songbird. It can be used to decorate greeting cards or room walls. First, I started by collecting dry leaves of different shapes and sizes from my garden. Then, I used glue to paste the larger leaves as the body and smaller leaves as feathers. The most difficult part was to glue the small twigs carefully to make the feet. This craft is special to me because it uses natural discarded leaves without wasting any paper. I hope you enjoyed seeing my craft and learning about it. Thank you for your attention!

Fresh Shiuli (Night-flowering Jasmine) flowers with distinct white petals and orange stems.

Let us write

Write a diary entry expressing your joy experiencing a rainy day following the given guidelines and starting prompt.

Friday, 15 July 20XX
6:30 p.m.

Dear Diary,

It was quite humid today. On my journey back from school, I wished that it would rain. And it did! Dark clouds gathered in the sky, and soon cool raindrops began to pour down. The air immediately felt fresh, smelling of wet earth.

My friends and I made small paper boats and floated them down the rainwater flowing along the street. Watching them dance in the water brought me so much joy. Rain always makes everything feel lively and peaceful. It was truly a delightful and memorable afternoon.

Anita

Let us explore

I. Find out names of some more trees or plants in your locality which have fragrant flowers. Write their names in your language and English language. Draw any two flowers and colour them.

Fragrant Flowers/Trees:

• Shiuli / Parijat — Night-flowering Jasmine
• Gharuka / Chameli — Jasmine
• Rajnigandha — Tuberose
• Gulab — Rose
• Mogra — Arabian Jasmine
• Raat ki Rani — Night-blooming Cestrum

(Students can draw and color a Rose and a Jasmine flower in their notebooks.)

II. Solve the riddles given below:
1. I have water that you cannot drink, / People come to see how in me the Sun sinks. / I can be rough, I can be calm, / I hold within myself plenty of charm. / My depths tell a never-ending tale. / Who am I with dolphins and the whale?

2. I sit in stillness, but move with the wind, / My surface mirrors the world you are in. / The trees around me live happily, / In me, you can take a dip daily. / Home to ducks, frogs, fish, and all, / Can you guess what I am, after all?

3. I gently travel through valleys deep, / My soft murmur can make you sleep. / Little paper boats float on me in rain / The merry laughter of the kids I gain. / You may sit beside me without any fear, / Who am I who skips along, crystal clear?

4. I have a bed, but I do not sleep. / I have a bank, but no money I keep. / I carry stories, old and new, / High mountains to the oceans blue. / I journey far to meet the sea, / Can you guess, who I can be?

1. The Sea / Ocean
2. A Pond / Lake
3. A Stream / Brook
4. A River

CBSE Class VII English (Poorvi) Unit 3: Dreams and Discoveries — My Brother’s Great Invention Questions and Answers

Unit 3: Dreams and Discoveries — My Brother's Great Invention

Let us do these activities before we read

I. Work in pairs and guess the invention:
1. I am a concept invented by ancient Indian mathematicians. I add value to numbers. Without me, calculations in the modern digital world would be impossible. Who am I?
2. I am an ancient Indian practice, now popular globally. I focus on physical and mental well-being. What am I?

1. Zero (0)
2. Yoga

II. Discuss in groups of four what you think the world today would have been like without inventions and discoveries.

Without inventions and discoveries, human life would remain extremely primitive. We would not have electricity, modern medicine, transportation, or communication devices like computers and phones. Tasks would take much more physical effort, and overall human progress, health, and comfort would be severely limited.

III. Fill the grid given below with missing letters to complete the words. These words display qualities of an inventor.

• C _ R _ A _ T _ _ V _ _ T _ _
• C _ U _ _ _ _ I _ T _ Y _
• R _ I _ _ _ T _ _ K _ _ N _ G
• D _ E T _ E _ _ _ I _ N _ A _ T _ I _
• I _ _ G _ I _ _ A _ _ I _ O _ N

• CREATIVITY
• CURIOSITY
• RISK TAKING
• DETERMINATION
• IMAGINATION

Anand experimenting with lights, wires, and electrical gadgets at his study desk.

Let us discuss (Page 94–95)

I. Complete the cause-and-effect table given below:

Causes	Effects
1. Anand set up his burglar alarm and rigged it to work when the door was opened softly.	[Fill in]
2. [Fill in]	Anita was able to avoid any responsibility as Anand faced the consequences alone.
3. We watched the movie 'Back to the Future'.	Anand: [Fill in]
4. Papa firmly said 'NO' to trying out the time machine.	[Fill in]

Causes	Effects
1. Anand set up his burglar alarm and rigged it to work when the door was opened softly.	Papa opened the door softly, got thoroughly soaked by the water bag, and became extremely angry.
2. Anita warned Anand beforehand that she was not involved and made sure her doubts were clear.	Anita was able to avoid any responsibility as Anand faced the consequences alone.
3. We watched the movie 'Back to the Future'.	Anand: Decided that he had to make a time machine too.
4. Papa firmly said 'NO' to trying out the time machine.	Anand looked crestfallen, but Ma convinced Papa to at least take a look at it.

II. Do you think Anand was able to keep his promise regarding the time machine? If yes, why? If no, why not?

Anand did not break his promise intentionally. While he promised his mother that he would not do anything with the time machine until his parents returned, it was the intruder, Boppa, who entered his room and accidentally activated the machine. Therefore, Anand kept his promise, but the machine got operated by the thief.

Boppa, the thief wearing a green scarf, threatening Anita and Anand with a cudgel.

Let us discuss (Page 98)

Arrange the following events in the correct order of occurrence:

1. The door swings open, and they see Boppa, standing there with an evil grin.
2. Boppa is nowhere to be found, but his green scarf is lying near the time machine.
3. Mrs. Sharma, her husband, and Dr. Mohan unlock the door and enter the house to help the children.
4. Anita wakes Anand up, informing him that someone is trying to get into the house.
5. Anand misleads Boppa into entering his room instead of his father's room.

1. Anita wakes Anand up, informing him that someone is trying to get into the house.
2. The door swings open, and they see Boppa, standing there with an evil grin.
3. Anand misleads Boppa into entering his room instead of his father's room.
4. Mrs. Sharma, her husband, and Dr. Mohan unlock the door and enter the house to help the children.
5. Boppa is nowhere to be found, but his green scarf is lying near the time machine.

Let us think and reflect

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

1. "Before beginning this story, let me put you in the picture. I am Anita, fourteen years old. My brother Anand, one year younger than me, caused all that hoo-ha with his burglar alarm. The trouble with him is that he thinks he is a scientist. He loves tinkering with all sorts of electrical gadgets, tools, dynamos, planks of wood, and things like that. And he keeps creating 'inventions' that never work out as they are supposed to."

(i) Complete the following sentence suitably by choosing the correct option from those given in the brackets:
When Anita says, "...let me put you in the picture", she wants to ____________ (introduce/summarise) the situation for the benefit of the readers.

(ii) Anand loves 'tinkering' with all sorts of electrical gadgets. This means that he enjoys ____________ gadgets.
A. dismantling and creating
B. labelling or naming
C. repairing or improving
D. collecting and displaying

(iii) Which of the following options most suitably describes Anand's personality?
A. methodical and cautious
B. creative and experimental
C. energetic and hasty
D. shy and reserved

(iv) Based on the extract, compare what Anita thinks of her brother Anand with what he thinks of himself.

(i) introduce

(ii) A. dismantling and creating

(iii) B. creative and experimental

(iv) Anand thinks of himself as a real scientist and genius whose inventions are professional. On the other hand, Anita thinks he just loves tinkering and creating trouble with 'inventions' that never work out properly.

2. "I was about to direct him upstairs, when Anand said quickly, 'The one next to this one.'
'You silly goose!' I said angrily as soon as the man had gone. 'That's your room. He'll come back as mad as mad can be.'
'At least it will give us some time to think of something,' Anand said. 'He'll take a while to locate the light switch. Let's shout.'
All of a sudden there was a crash followed by a loud scream. More strange noises emerged from the next room a few muffled thumps, an eerie whine, and a low, humming sound."

(i) Complete the sentence given below with a suitable reason:
Anita was angry with Anand because ____________.

(ii) Which action of Anand shows his presence of mind?

(iii) What might be the cause of the strange noises emerging from the next room?
A. The intruder moving furniture around
B. Anand's time machine getting activated
C. The intruder locating the light switch
D. Anand's invention malfunctioning

(iv) Which of the following best describes the atmosphere in this extract?
A. relaxing    B. peaceful    C. tense    D. sad    E. suspenseful    F. joyful
(a) A, D and E    (b) B and F    (c) C and E    (d) Only D

(i) Anita was angry with Anand because he directed the intruder to his own room next door instead of upstairs, which she feared would make the intruder extremely angry when he realized it wasn't their father's room.

(ii) Anand's quick thinking in misleading the thief to his room to buy them extra time while the thief searched for the light switch showed his presence of mind.

(iii) B. Anand's time machine getting activated

(iv) (c) C and E (tense and suspenseful)

II. Complete the table with the suitable traits of the characters based on evidence from the text. Choose the traits given in the box below:
[creative, curious, careful, responsible, bothersome, confident]

Character	Traits	Evidence from the Text
Anand	1. bothersome	And this is not the first time he's got on Papa's nerves or frightened someone half to death in the house.
	2. [Fill in]	He loves tinkering with all sorts of electrical gadgets, tools, dynamos, planks of wood, and things like that. And he keeps creating 'inventions' that never work out as they are supposed to.
	3. [Fill in]	"Nothing will go wrong this time. I've planned it out carefully. See the blueprint."
Anita	1. [Fill in]	"We're old enough to look after ourselves, Ma..."
	2. [Fill in]	"But how does the alarm know that a burglar is opening the door?"
	3. [Fill in]	"Now clean up this mess before anyone gets home."

Character	Traits	Evidence from the Text
Anand	1. bothersome	And this is not the first time he's got on Papa's nerves or frightened someone half to death in the house.
	2. creative	He loves tinkering with all sorts of electrical gadgets, tools, dynamos, planks of wood, and things like that. And he keeps creating 'inventions' that never work out as they are supposed to.
	3. confident	"Nothing will go wrong this time. I've planned it out carefully. See the blueprint."
Anita	1. responsible	"We're old enough to look after ourselves, Ma..."
	2. curious	"But how does the alarm know that a burglar is opening the door?"
	3. careful	"Now clean up this mess before anyone gets home."

III. Answer the following questions:

1. What prompted Anand to create the burglar alarm?
2. How did Anand's father become the target of the burglar alarm?
3. How did Anand's parents and sister react to his ideas?
4. How did Anand behave when he was on his 'inventing binges'?
5. Why did Mr. Sharma not believe Anand when he spoke about his time machine?
6. Give an ending to this story, explaining what might have happened to Boppa.

1. A recent rush of thefts in their housing colony prompted Anand to design and create a burglar alarm.
2. Anand designed the alarm to trigger specifically when the door was opened softly, assuming thieves enter quietly. Since Papa always opened the door softly, he accidentally triggered the alarm when returning home.
3. Anand's sister, Anita, was skeptical and cautious, making sure she wasn't blamed. His father was annoyed and strict, locking up his toolbox and prohibiting experiments. His mother was protective and kept an eye on household gadgets, though she sympathized with Anand.
4. During his 'inventing binges', Anand took apart household appliances for parts, worked noisily, turned his room into a mess of wires and levers, and neglected his personal appearance, even forgetting to comb his hair.
5. Mr. Sharma believed time machines were purely a product of a young boy's wild imagination and smiled indulgently, assuming the thief simply escaped outdoors.
6. Suggested Ending: Boppa was so frightened by the flashing lights, high-pitched whines, and sudden sparks of the time machine that he dropped his green scarf and fled out the back window into the dark night, promising never to enter that house again!

Let us learn

I. Onomatopoeia: Match sound words from Column 1 with their meanings in Column 2.

Column 1	Column 2
(i) Crash	sudden loud sound of breaking
(ii) Humming	[Fill in]
(iii) Hissed	[Fill in]
(iv) Hammering, sawing, clattering	[Fill in]

Column 1	Column 2
(i) Crash	sudden loud sound of breaking
(ii) Humming	a continuous low and soothing sound
(iii) Hissed	whispered angrily
(iv) Hammering, sawing, clattering	constant and loud construction noises

II. Binomials:

1. Match the words in Column 1 with Column 2 to make binomials:

Column 1	Conjunction	Column 2
(i) safe	and / or	A. break
(ii) odds		B. cons
(iii) make		C. never
(iv) pros		D. take
(v) now		E. sound
(vi) give		F. ends

2. Complete the sentences with suitable binomials from above:

1. This project will be a ____________ moment for our team's success.
2. After a long journey, we were relieved to arrive home ____________.
3. Every friendship works well when there is a balance of ____________.
4. She organised all the ____________ in the cupboard, to make space for new clothes.
5. Before making a decision, it is important to weigh the ____________ carefully.
6. This is our final chance to perform on stage, it is ____________.

3. Complete the paragraph using the phrasal verbs from the box:
[tripped off, let up, turned out, ran out of, rigged up]

It had been raining and we (i) ____________ time to set up for the function, so we quickly (ii) ____________ some decorations using whatever materials we had. We accidentally (iii) ____________ the fire alarm because of the smoke from the bonfire. Thankfully, the rain (iv) ____________ just as the guests were arriving, and despite all the chaos, the function (v) ____________ to be a huge success.

1. Matching Binomials:

• (i) safe and sound (E)
• (ii) odds and ends (F)
• (iii) make or break (A)
• (iv) pros and cons (B)
• (v) now or never (C)
• (vi) give and take (D)

2. Sentence Completion:

1. make or break
2. safe and sound
3. give and take
4. odds and ends
5. pros and cons
6. now or never

3. Paragraph Completion:

(i) ran out of, (ii) rigged up, (iii) tripped off, (iv) let up, (v) turned out.

III. Idioms: Fill in the blanks with suitable idioms from the box:
[leaving the coast clear, frighten me half to death, get on our nerves, get a shelling, fell over ourselves]

1. Shekhar knew he would ____________ for breaking his mother's favourite flower vase.
2. We ____________ trying to help the injured dog and get it to the vet as quickly as possible.
3. Faizy distracted Kanchan, ____________ for us to get inside the room to prepare the birthday surprise.
4. The constant power fluctuations during meetings can ____________.
5. When I am alone at home, any unexpected loud noise in the night can ____________.

1. get a shelling
2. fell over ourselves
3. leaving the coast clear
4. get on our nerves
5. frighten me half to death

IV. Tenses (Simple Past & Past Perfect):

1. Underline the verbs in simple past and past perfect tense in the sentences below:

(i) Ma had rushed in to see what the racket was all about and found Papa standing there, sopping wet and scowling.

(ii) Anand had vanished by this time and reappeared only after dinner when Papa had cooled down.

2. Fill in the blanks with the simple past or past perfect form of the verbs given in brackets:

(i) After Rohan A. ____ (finish) his homework, he B. ____ (decide) to go for a walk. He C. ____ (leave) the house and D. ____ (realise) he E. ____ (forget) his keys inside.

(ii) By the time we A. ____ (reach) the station, the train B. ____ (already/leave). We C. ____ (wait) for the next one to arrive.

3. Combine the pairs of sentences using time expressions (before, after, by the time, when) and rewrite them using past perfect tenses:

• (i) Old Action: We started work. | New Action: He arrived in the morning.
• (ii) Old Action: They set up the tents. | New Action: The others brought food and medicine.
• (iii) Old Action: The students became quiet. | New Action: They heard the teacher coming.
• (iv) Old Action: The villagers left the village. | New Action: The flood submerged the entire area.

1. Underlined Verbs:

(i) Ma had rushed (Past Perfect) in to see what the racket was (Simple Past) all about and found (Simple Past) Papa standing there...

(ii) Anand had vanished (Past Perfect) by this time and reappeared (Simple Past) only after dinner when Papa had cooled (Past Perfect) down.

2. Fill in the blanks:

(i) A. had finished, B. decided, C. left, D. realised, E. had forgotten.
(ii) A. reached, B. had already left, C. waited.

3. Sentence Combinations:

• (i) We had started work by the time he arrived in the morning.
• (ii) They had set up the tents before the others brought food and medicine.
• (iii) The students had become quiet when they heard the teacher coming.
• (iv) The villagers had left the village before the flood submerged the entire area.

Let us listen

I. Listening Activity: Select the true statements from 1–5 based on the conversation between Anita and Toby:

1. Toby misses his school.
2. Anita accepts Toby as her friend.
3. Anita asks Toby about one of his facial features.
4. Toby tells Anita that she had a banana for breakfast.
5. Toby shares that he can see much clearer with a closed eye.

• Statement 2 is TRUE: Anita says, "I am happy to have you as my friend."
• Statement 3 is TRUE: Anita asks about his single big eye in the centre of his face.
• Statement 5 is TRUE: Toby shares that he can see even with his eye closed.

(Statements 1 and 4 are False: Toby misses his people and home, and he mentions Anita had an apple for breakfast).

II. Fill in the blanks with the exact words heard in the transcript:

1. Toby: I miss my ____________ and home.
2. Toby: Well, we ____________ don't need to eat anything. We get our ____________ from the Sun.
3. Anita: Oh! Don't you ever feel like having ice creams and ____________?
4. Anita: Okay, tell me one thing. How are you able to see with only ____________ eye?
5. Toby: I can see beyond mountains and ____________, ____________ woods and even ____________.

1. people
2. Martians, energy
3. chocolates
4. one
5. clouds, wood, metals

Let us speak

Work in pairs. Pronounce the '-ough' words out loud and put them in the correct boxes based on their sound:
Words: bough, dough, through, cough, thought, plough, rough, trough, tough, enough

Sounds like 'oo'	Sounds like 'off' / 'uff'	Sounds like 'o'	Sounds like 'ow'	Sounds like 'aw'
through	cough, trough, rough, tough, enough	dough, though	bough, plough	thought

Let us write

Choose a vocation (e.g., electrician, mechanic, chef, nurse, graphic designer) and write a paragraph using the provided hints:

• why you like this vocation
• what training is needed
• what tools and equipment are required
• who would your co-workers be
• highlight the importance of teamwork
• how you would deal with the customers
• how you plan to pursue it with a sense of pride

Vocation: Electrician

I would like to become an electrician because I am fascinated by how electricity powers our daily lives and modern technology. To pursue this vocation, practical technical training and safety certification are essential. Electricians use tools like wire strippers, voltage meters, pliers, and insulated screwdrivers. On job sites, my co-workers would include engineers, construction workers, and fellow technicians. Teamwork is very important in this field to ensure complete safety and correct wiring installations. I will always deal with customers politely by listening to their needs and solving electrical problems efficiently. I plan to pursue this vocation with pride because helping people live safely and comfortably brings immense satisfaction.

Famous Indian inventors and scientists featured in the chapter.