Class 7 English - An Alien Hand - Chapter The Desert NCERT Solutions | In a desert the temperature rises during

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

1. From the first paragraph
(i) pick out two phrases which describe the desert as most people believe it is;
(ii) pick out two phrases which describe the desert as specialists see it. Which do you think is          an apt description, and 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?
 

Why, in your opinion, did the man set the doves free?
 

Name some other creatures that live in anthills.
 

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.

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

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

Who advised Golu to go to the Limpopo river?
 

 “There was a sudden and wonderful change in his soul”. What brought about the change in Soapy?

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.

 Was the customer interested in the care and feeding of the doves he had bought? If not, why not?

(i) The man insisted on buying the doves because he was fond of birds. Do you agree?
(ii) How had he earned the five dollars he had?