Solutions To NCERT Class 7 English Honeycomb Unit 1 Poem “The Squirrel”

Hello students and welcome to our solutions on “The Squirrel.’ Our English experts, trained both in India and overseas, have addressed whatever problems you might have in understanding this poem. We recommend you go through the solutions in detail- they should clear all your doubts and help you grasp the essence of the poem.

In addition to the questions in the book, we have prepared a series of extra questions presented in a playful manner which will enable you to ace your exam.

Find Solutions to NCERT Class 7 English Honeycomb Unit 1 Poem “The Squirrel” here.

The Squirrel

Working with the Poem

1. Why does the poet say the squirrel “wore a question mark for tail”? Draw a squirrel, or find a picture of a squirrel sitting on the ground. How would you describe its tail?

Answer:
The poet says the squirrel “wore a question mark for tail” because the tail of the squirrel is curved in the shape of a question mark when held upright.

 2. Do we usually say that an animal ‘wears’ a tail? What do we say? (Think: Does an animal wear a coat? Consult a dictionary if you like, and find out how ‘wear’ is used in different ways.)
Answer:
No. we don’t say that an animal ‘wears’ a tail. Instead, we usually say the animal ‘has’ a tail.

According to the dictionary, the word ‘wear’ is used to mean covering one’s body with clothing for protection or decoration. For example, we wear clothes. The squirrel has a shapely tail that has a sweeping curve resembling a question mark. The poet means to convey that when the squirrel holds up its showy tail it looks as if it is a decorative accessory ‘worn’ to make the squirrel look attractive.

3. “He liked to tease and play”. Who is teasing whom? How?
Answer:
“He liked to tease and play”. Here, the squirrel is teasing the poet. The squirrel has a playful nature. He attracts the attention of the poet and her friends, but as soon as they run around the tree to catch him, he swiftly dodges them and runs away in a different direction.

Extra Questions for NCERT Class 7 Honeycomb Unit 1 Poem “The Squirrel”

1. Who wrote the poem titled “The Squirrel?’
Answer:
“The Squirrel” was written by Mildred Bowers Armstrong.

2. Which special characteristic of the squirrel captured the poet ‘s attention?
Answer:
The poet is drawn to the squirrel’s shapely tail which curves like a question mark when the squirrel holds it up. It is the most attractive feature of the little animal.

3. Do you think the poet managed to describe the squirrel in just 6 lines?
Answer:
The poem is very short, but the poet has painted a complete picture of the squirrel’s appearance and nature.The squirrel has a grey coat of fur covering its body and an attractive curvaceous tail which looks like a question mark when held up. It sits up straight on its hind legs while eating nuts held in its front paws. It has a playful nature and attracts the attention of children but it is also agile and has quick reflexes so it manages to dodge the children chasing him round trees and runs the other way. It is also fearful for its safety so it shies away from contact.

Extract based Questions

A. Read the following extract carefully and answer the questions that follow:

“He wore a question mark for tail,
  An overcoat of gray,
  He sat up straight to eat a nut.

1. What does the squirrel’s tail look like?
(i) A comma
(ii) a semi colon
(iii) a Question mark
(iv) None of the above

2. Why does the poet say that the squirrel ‘wore’ a question mark for a tail?
(i) The tail looks like a garment
(ii) The squirrel takes off his tail at night.
(iii) The tail looks like an attractive accessory although it is a part of his body.
(iv) All of the above

3. What do you understand by “an overcoat of gray”?
(i) the squirrel wears an overcoat that is gray in colour.
(ii) The soft gray fur covering the squirrel’s entire body reminds the poet of a warm overcoat.
(iii) The squirrel has a furry body.
(iv) None of the above

4. Although squirrels are omnivores, which food according to the poet is the squirrel most fond of?
(i) fruits
(ii) roots
(iii) insects
(iv) nuts

5. How do squirrels sit when they gnaw on nuts?
(i) in a reclined position
(ii) Sit up straight resting on their hind legs
(iii) curl up like a question mark
(iv) none of the above

Answer:

1. (iii) a Question mark

2. (iii) The tail looks like an attractive accessory although it is a part of his body.

3. (ii) The soft gray fur covering the squirrel’s entire body reminds the poet of warm overcoat.

4. (iv) nuts

5. (ii) Sit up straight resting on their hind legs

B. Read the following extract carefully and answer the questions that follow:

“He liked to tease and play,
 And if we ran around his tree,
 He went the other way.”

1. Who liked to tease and play?
(i) The poet
(ii) The poet’s friend
(iii) the squirrel
(iv) None of the above

2. “And If we ran around the tree” Who does ‘we’ refer to?
(i) The poet
(ii) the poet and her friends
(iii) the poet and the squirrel
(iv) None of the above

3. It was ________to catch the squirrel.
(i) easy
(ii) fun
(iii) very difficult
(iv) All of the above

4. Where did the squirrel live?
(i) in a burrow
(ii) amidst the bushes
(iii) on his tree
(iv) None of the above

5. “He went the other way’ refers to ___________
(i) the way that led to the poet.
(ii) the way that led away from the poet and her friends.
(iii) the way on which the children waited.
(iv) none of the above

Answer:

1. (iii) the squirrel

2. (ii) the poet and her friends

3. (iii) very difficult

4. (iii) on his tree

5. (ii) the way that led away from the poet and her friends.

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