NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English Poorvi Chapter 10 The Tunnel

NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English Poorvi Chapter 10 The Tunnel

Pages 144-145 - Let us discuss

Question 1.
Suraj compares the train to a magical creature. Pick the phrases that convey the meaning.
Answer:
The phrases that convey the meaning of Suraj comparing the train to a magical train are:
(a) The railway lines were two straight black serpents disappearing into the tunnel in the hill side.
(b) The steam engine shot out of the tunnel, snorting and puffing like some green, black and gold dragon.
(c) It charged straight at the tunnel, and into it thundering past Suraj like the beautiful dragon of his dreams.

Question 2.
Suraj knew that the train was close by because ___________.
Answer:
He had heard, in the distance, the shrill whistle of the engine.

Question 3.
What did Spraj see inside the tunnel?
Answer:
Inside the tunnel it was too dark, the walls were damp and sticky, a bat flew past and a lizard scuttled between the lines.

Question 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).
Answer:
He has lent it to the Government.

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

Answer:

Page 149 – Let us discuss

Question 1.
Sunder Singh knew that the leopard was in the tunnel because ___________.
Answer:
he could hear padded footfall of the leopard and rustle of dry leaves.

Question 2.
Why do you think Suraj was unable to do any shouting in the tunnel in the beginning?
(i) He was afraid of the leopard.
(ii) He didn’t want to disturb the leopard,
(iii) He was trying to listen for the leopard.
(iv) He didn’t really believe Sunder Singh.
Answer:
(iii) He was trying to listen for the leopard.

Question 3.
What made the leopard disappear into the darkness?
Answer:
The leopard disappeared into the darkness because, when both Suraj and Sunder Singh shouted in the tunnel, their voices echoed. Hearing their shouts, the leopard became terrified, thinking that many humans wers following it.

Question 4.
How did Suraj know Sunder Singh was at the tunnel?
Answer:
Suraj knew that Sunder Singh was at the tunnel because, he saw a lamp glowing inside it while travelling with his father to Delhi. Even though he couldn’t see Sunder Singh’s face, he was sure that it was his friend Sunder who was there.

Question 5.
Why did Suraj’s father take him along to Delhi?
Answer:
Suraj’s father took him to Delhi because he felt it was time for Suraj to learn about the business he does.

Pages 149-151 – 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. Ahead of him, the tunnel’s other opening was just a small round circle of light.
The tunnel was still full of smoke from the train, but it would be several hours before another train came through. Till then, the cutting belonged to the jungle again.
Suraj didn’t stop, because there was nothing to do in the tunnel and nothing to see. He had simply wanted to walk through, so that he would know what the inside of a tunnel was really like.

(i) Write whether the following 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 see whether it is day or evening outside the tunnel.)

(ii) Choose the correct option to complete the sentence given below.
Suraj did not stop anywhere in the tunnel because .
A. there was nothing to see in the tunnel
B. the tunnel was damp and sticky
C. he was in a hurry to get out of the tunnel
D. it was time for another train to come
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 the cleared path through which the train travelled would return to its normal state, becoming part of the jungle once more.

(iv) Suraj wanted to know the inside of the tunnel. What character trait of Suraj is highlighted here?
Answer:
The character trait of Suraj being highlighted here is that he is bold and curious.

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 can’t let that happen.” “But won’t it attack us if we try to drive it out?” asked Suraj, beginning to share the watchman’s concern.
“Not this leopard. It knows me well. We have seen each other many times. It has a weakness for goats and stray dogs, but it ufill not harm us. Even so, I’ll take my axe with me. You stay here; Suraj.”

(i) What was the watchman’s concern?
Answer:
The watchman heard the noise of the leopard in the tunnel. His concern was that if he did not drive the leopard out, it would be run over by the 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:
Sunder Singh knew that the leopard has weakness for goats and stray dogs.

(iii) Select the sentences that are true from those given below.
A. Suraj wants to see leopards in the jungle.
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.
E. Sunder Singh knows all about the animals in the jungle.
Answer:
Sentences B, C, D and E are true.

(iv) Choose the correct option to complete the sentence.
Sunder Singh decides to take his axe with him. This tells us that he was ___________.
A. violent
B. cautious
C. bold
D. afraid
Answer:
B. cautious

II. Answer the following questions

Question 1.
What does Sunder Singh convey by saying that he has lent his tunnel to the Government?
Answer:
Sunder Singh means that he has allowed the Government to use the tunnel he built. He does not consider it a permanent loss but a contribution to the development of the country.

Question 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?
Answer:
Sunder Singh explains that wild animals in the forest do not harm people unless they are disturbed. In contrast, people in towns can be dangerous because of their selfish and harmful actions. This shows that he is a wise, observant, and nature-loving person who understands the behaviour of animals and human beings.

Question 3.
Sunder Singh has become part of the jungle life. Support the view with a suitable reason.
Answer:
Sunder Singh has become part of jungle life because he lives in the forest, understands the behaviour of wild animals, and feels comfortable in their surroundings. He knows how to live safely among them and prefers the peace of the forest to the busy life of the town.

Question 4.
Sunder Singh and Suraj form an unlikely friendship. What draws them together?
Answer:
Sunder Singh and Suraj are drawn together by their shared love for the forest and its wildlife. Suraj is curious about Sunder Singh’s life in the jungle, while Sunder Singh enjoys sharing his experiences and knowledge with the boy. Their mutual trust, understanding, and love for nature help them develop a strong friendship.

Question 5.
Why is Sunder Singh referred to as a ‘firefly’?
Answer:
Sunder Singh is referred to as a ‘firefly’ because he carries a lantern while moving through the dark forest and tunnel. Like a firefly that gives off light in the darkness, he appears as a small light guiding the way at night.

Question 6.
Do you think Suraj is an adventure-loving boy? Give reasons.
Answer:
Yes, Suraj is an adventure-loving boy. He is curious about the forest, enjoys visiting Sunder Singh, and shows interest in learning about jungle life. He is not afraid to explore the tunnel and listen to Sunder Singh’s exciting experiences. These qualities show that he is adventurous, curious, and eager to explore new things.

Pages 151-153 – Let us learn

I. Complete the following sentences using the suitable phrases from the text given in the box below:

1. We could hear the ______________________ 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 ______________________ from the houses.
3. The ______________________ from the carpenter’s workshop grew louder every hour.
4. From the balcony, she watched the ______________________ from her neighbour’s chimney flat across the backyard.
Answer:
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. The text has many ‘sound words’. Some of these words are given in Column 1 and their meanings are given down. At night, the watchman lit an oil lamp and made a similar inspection of the tunnel

Now, complete the sentences given below by filing in the blanks with the correct form of the sound words given in Column 1.
1. The steam engine reached the station __________________ black smoke into the sky.
2. Suddenly the snake raised its hood and made a __________________ noise.
3. When the wind blew, I heard the __________________ of the wooden roof.
4. He heard a __________________ of leaves behind him when he was walking in the woods.
5. I get disturbed by the continuous __________________ of the monkeys in the neighbourhood.
Answer:
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 rustling of leaves behind him when he was walking in the woods.
5. I get disturbed by the continuous chattering of the monkeys in the neighbourhood.

III. Read what the watchman Sunder Singh did regularly at the tunnel as part of his duty. Notice the use of ‘would’.
Every day, before the train came through, he would walk the length of the tunnel. If all was .well,, he would return to his hut and take a nap. If something was wrong, he would walk back up the line and wave a red flag and the engine driver would slow down. At night, the watchman lit an oil lamp and made a similar inspection of the tunnel

Question 1.
Why is the word ‘would’ used here?
(i) to make a polite request
(ii) to express a desire
(iii) to talk about a habit in the past

In these sentences, the word “would’ is used to speak about a past habit.
GOLDEN GRAMMAR TIPS
‘Would’ is used in these sentences to describe actions again and again over a period of time in the past. These are known as “habitual or routine actions’.
Would and used to both describe actions that happened regularly in the past. However, “used to’ is often used for past habits or situations that no longer occur.

• She used to sing when she was in standard 6.
• Arun used to eat a lot of chocolates, but he stopped last month.

Question 2.
Complete the sentences using the verb in brackets with the correct form of ‘used to’ or ‘would’. An example has been done for you.

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