Class 7 English - An Alien Hand - Chapter The Desert NCERT Solutions | 1. From the first paragraph (i) pick ou

How do the smaller desert animals fulfil their need for water?
 

A camel can do without water for days together. What is the reason given in the text?
 

The phrases on the left in the following box occur in the text. Match each of them with a phrase on the right.

(i) an endless stretch of sand    ---- fertile place with water and plants in a desert

(ii) waterless and without            ----not visible because the grass shelter is thick
(iii) an oasis                                ----nothing but sand as far as one can see

(iv) hidden by a cover of grass   ----no water and no shade

In a desert the temperature rises during the day and falls rapidly at night. Why?

How does Tilloo manage to find his way to the ‘forbidden passage’?
 

1. The story of an ant’s life sounds almost untrue. The italicised phrase means
 (i) highly exaggerated.
(ii) too remarkable to be true.
(iii) not based on facts.

The enclosure in which Kari lived had a thatched roof that lay on thick tree stumps. Examine the illustration of Kari’s pavilion on page 8 and say why it was built that way. ephant to learn?

What are some of the signs of approaching winter referred to in the text?
 

Whom does Golu ask, “Why don’t you ever fly like other birds?”
 

Write ‘True’ or ‘False’ against each of following statements.
(i) Mr Purcell sold birds, cats, dogs and monkeys.
(ii) He was very concerned about the well-being of the birds and animals in his shop.
(iii) He was impressed by the customer who bought the two doves.
(iv) He was a successful shopowner, though insensitive and cold as a person.
 

Why did Abbu Khan’s goats want to run away? What happened to them in the hills?
 

Where did the lady find the bear cub? How did she bring it up?
 

“He had the distinction of being the only member of the party to have bagged any game...” The phrase in italics means
(i) Grandfather was the most distinguished member of the party.
(ii) Grandfather was the only sportsperson in the party.
(iii) Grandfather was the only successful member of the hunting party.
Mark the right answer.
 

What did Tilloo hope to see once he emerged from his underground home?
 

“Now Abbu Khan understood Chandni’s problem...” What was Chandni’s problem?
 

What was Soapy’s first plan? Why did it not work?
 

2. Complete the following sentences.
(i) An ant is the smallest,——————————————
———————————————————————
——————————————————————
(ii) We know a number of facts about an ant’s life because
——————————————————————

Finding good twigs for Kari took a long time. Why?
 

Abbu Khan said, “No more goats in my house ever again.” Then he changed his mind. Why?
 

When was the bear tied up with a chain? Why?
 

When Timothy was about six months old, a change came over him. The phrase in italics means that
(i) Timothy had grown to his full size.
(ii) Timothy grew more friendly.
(iii) Timothy grew less friendly, in fact more dangerous
 

Chandni fought the wolf because she
(i) was stronger than the wolf.
(ii) hated the wolf.
(iii) had to retain her freedom at all costs.

How long does it take for a grub to become a complete ant?
 

Write ‘True’ or ‘False’ against each of the following.
(i) Soapy did not want to go to prison.
(ii) Soapy had been to prison several times.
(iii) It was not possible for Soapy to survive in the city through the winter.
(iv) Soapy hated to answer questions of a personal nature.