Hello Class 7 Students!
Ready to laugh and learn? Welcome to our solutions for Poorvi Unit 2 – Chapter 6: “Say the Right Thing”! While the play might be full of fun and funny moments, it also carries some thoughtful ideas — and we’re here to help you enjoy both.
Our team of English experts, trained in India and abroad, has created clear, easy-to-understand answers for all the questions and activities in this chapter. These solutions will not only help you understand the plot and characters but also get you exam-ready — with a smile!
And if you ever feel like you need a little extra help (or want someone to explain the jokes again!), we’re always here to help you.
Happy reading — and don’t forget to enjoy the humour while you learn!
Solutions to NCERT Class 7 English Poorvi Wit and Humour Chapter 6 ‘Say the Right Thing’
Let us do these activities before we read.
I. Work in pairs and discuss.
1. What does ‘Athithi Devo Bhava’ mean?
Answer:
‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ is a Sanskrit saying that means “A guest is like God.” It highlights the importance of showing deep respect, kindness, and hospitality towards anyone who visits us.
2. Why is it important to be polite to guests?
Answer:
It is important to be polite and courteous to guests to show that we are well-mannered and cultured. It makes them feel valued, welcome, and puts them at ease. Warm hospitality forges strong relationships and leaves a good impression of the host.
II. Choose the statements that display polite behaviour when you have guests at home.
1. Offer the guests a glass of water.
2. Enquire about the well-being of the guests.
3. Ask the guests when they would leave.
4. Comment critically about the habits of guests.
5. Accompany the guests to the door when they leave.
Answer:
The following statements display polite behaviour when we have guests at home:
1. Offer the guests a glass of water.
2. Enquire about the well-being of the guests.
5. Accompany the guests to the door when they leave.
III Sometimes you find that a few friends in class are rude while disagreeing with each other on certain issues. Work in groups. How would you deal with such a situation? Share at least three ways in which you can do this.
Answer:
The following ways are suggested to prevent rudeness and escalation of conflict during a discussion:
1. We should set some ground rules before the discussion begins. We must agree on following simple rules like “no interruptions” and ‘respect for everyone’s opinion” to keep things polite and civil.
2. If the discussion becomes heated and disagreements get intense, we should take a break and allow everyone to calm down and think rationally.
3. If things get out of hand, we can ask an impartial third person like a teacher or a mentor to mediate and resolve the conflict fairly and peacefully.
Let us discuss (Page 74)
I. Complete the table given below based on Scene I of the play. An example has been done for you. Share your answers with your classmates and the teacher.
| Speaker | Words of the speaker | Reason |
| Mrs Shaw | The room looks cleaner now. Put that coat away in your bedroom. | To instruct Mary to keep the room tidy |
| Mary | You’re always telling me to put things away. | |
| Mary | I’m not a child! | |
| Mrs Shaw | To highlight the importance of being kind as a way to ensure Mary says the appropriate things when guests arrive |
Answer:
| Speaker | Words of the speaker | Reason |
| Mrs Shaw | The room looks cleaner now. Put that coat away in your bedroom. | To instruct Mary to keep the room tidy |
| Mary | You’re always telling me to put things away. | To express her irritation and resentment at being constantly corrected |
| Mary | I’m not a child! | To assert her independence and that she wants to be treated as a mature adult. |
| Mrs Shaw | I can’t tell you everything, but you’ll always be right if you’re kind to people. Say things that will please them. | To highlight the importance of being kind as a way to ensure Mary says the appropriate things when guests arrive |
II. Do you think Mary will be able to follow her mother’s advice successfully when Mrs. Harding and Mrs. Lee visit? Why or why not?
Answer:
I think that Mary may not be able to follow her mother’s advice successfully. She already seems a bit headstrong and unwilling to listen, as shown by her response to being told what to do. She seems too eager to impress and over confident of her abilities to make polite conversation which might lead her to make blunders.
Let us discuss (Page 77)
I. Rectify the false statements given below from Scene II of the play. An example has been done for you. Share your answers with your classmates and the teacher.
1. Mrs. Harding states that they do not like London as it is not the same as Lanfield.
Rectification: Mrs. Harding states that they like Lanfield very much
even though it is not the same as London.
2. Mrs. Harding was pleased to know that Mary was familiar with her children.
Rectification: Mrs. Harding was not pleased because she does not have any children, and Mary mistakenly insisted that she did.Bottom of Form
3. Mrs. Shaw shared that she liked Mrs. Best as she read a lot of newspapers.
Rectification: Mrs. Shaw said she liked Mrs. Best because she is a nice woman, not because she reads a lot of newspapers.
4. Mrs. Harding and Mrs. Shaw agree that wearing a blue dress with a red coat is unfashionable.
Rectification: Mrs. Shaw quickly said she liked blue dresses and red coats to avoid offending Mrs. Harding, who wears that combination.
5. Mary shares that she finds the dog outside the window cute.
Rectification: Mary said the dog looked very dirty and wondered why people keep dogs, not realizing it belonged to Mrs. Harding.
Let us think and reflect (Page 78)
I. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
1. Mary: What are you going to talk about?
Mrs. Shaw: I don’t know. All kinds of things. One day you’ll have to go to some of these houses yourself and talk to the people there.
Mary: I can talk now. I’ve been able to talk for a long time.
Mrs. Shaw: Yes, that’s true. You always talk too much. But does anyone want to hear the things that you say?
Mary: I can talk very well when I like. I’ll stay with you today and talk to them when they come.
Mrs. Shaw : Oh, I don’t think so. You can go out for a walk. It will be better if you do that.
(i) What does Mrs. Shaw imply when she says, “One day you’ll have to go to some of these houses yourself and talk to the people there”?
A. She believes Mary should start learning about hosting guests then.
B. She thinks Mary is ready to visit these houses independently.
C. She wants Mary to develop social skills for the future.
D. She hopes Mary will avoid these social interactions entirely.
Answer:
C. She wants Mary to develop social skills for the future.
(ii) Complete the following sentence with the correct option from the brackets.
Mrs. Shaw and Mary are discussing how to _____________________.(have a polite conversation/ get to know people better)
Answer:
Mrs. Shaw and Mary are discussing how to have a polite conversation.
(iii) Why did Mary insist on staying with her mother when the guests arrived?
Answer:
Mary insisted on staying with her mother when the guests arrived because she was eager to prove that she could engage in polite conversation just like an adult.
(iv) Match the following character traits to the characters in the extract:
A. eager B. inexperienced C. cautious
Mary, Mrs. Shaw
Answer:
| Character | Character Trait |
| Mary | A. eager |
| Mrs Shaw | C. cautious |
2. Mary: I saw Mrs. Cotter this afternoon. I met her in the street. No one sees her in the morning because she always stays in bed then. And she’s always asking the doctor to go to see her. I can’t understand women who stay in bed in the morning. And why must she always ask for the doctor? I’ve never been to a doctor in my life.
Mrs. Harding: I stay in bed in the morning myself.
(i) Complete the following sentence suitably.
Mary could spot Mrs. Cotter in the street because _________.
Answer:
Mary could spot Mrs. Cotter in the street because she went out in the afternoon when Mrs Cotter is out and about.
(ii) What does Mary’s comment about Mrs. Cotter staying in bed and calling the doctor suggest about her understanding?
A. She is worried about why Mrs. Cotter stays in bed all morning.
B. She is unable to understand why people need medical help.
C. She thinks Mrs. Cotter is scared and lonely for staying in bed.
D. She believes Mrs. Cotter is right to rest and take care of herself.
Answer:
B. She is unable to understand why people need medical help.
(iii) How can we say that Mary enjoyed good health?
Answer:
Mary mentions that she has never been to a doctor in her life which shows that she rarely falls ill and therefore enjoys good health.
(iv) Identify whether the following statement is true or false.
Mary might have unintentionally offended Mrs. Harding.
Answer:
True
II Answer the following questions.
1. What does Mary’s comment about Mr. Best’s routine and profession reveal about her viewpoint on bankers and their way of life?
Answer:
Mary’s comment about Mr Best’s routine and profession reveals that she thinks bankers lead a dull and uninspiring life. She criticizes Mr. Best for reading only newspapers and commuting daily, showing she doesn’t respect or understand the routine life of a banker.
2. What can we infer about Mary’s understanding of polite conversation based on her interactions with the guests?
Answer:
We can infer that Mary lacks understanding of polite conversation based on her awkward interactions with the guests. She often embarrasses the guests by says things that are too personal or offensive despite her mother’s advice to say kind and pleasant things only.
3. What do you think the repeated stage direction ‘no one speaks’ indicates about the atmosphere in the room when Mary speaks?
Answer:
The repeated stage direction ‘no one speaks’ indicates that Mary’s inappropriate remarks make the guests uncomfortable. The silence reveals that the guests are awkward and unsure of how to respond to her artless remarks without appearing rude.
4. How does Mary’s attitude towards the guests change throughout the play?
Answer:
At first, Mary is confident and eager to talk to the guests. But as she realizes that her remarks were offending them, she becomes flustered and unsure of what to say.
5. What do Mrs. Harding’s and Mrs. Lee’s responses to Mary’s blunders during their visit reveal about their characters?
Answer:
Mrs. Harding’s and Mrs. Lee’s responses to Mary’s blunders during their visit reveal that they are mature, patient, and understanding. Instead of reacting negatively, they handle Mary’s rude remarks with grace and self-control.
6. In what way does the play show the importance of knowing how to engage in polite conversation?
Answer:
The play shows the importance of knowing how to engage in polite conversation for respectful and pleasant interactions. Mary’s tactless words give rise to social tension and create a distance between her and the visitors.
Let us learn (Page 80)
I. Study the following words taken from the text.
humorous, hilariously, coming, beautiful
The given words are made by adding word endings like -ous, -ly, -ing, and -ful to the root words humour, hilarious, come, and beauty. Such word endings are called suffixes.
• humour + -ous
• hilarious + -ly
• come + -ing
• beauty + -ful
| NOTE The spelling variant when the word ends in ‘e’ as in ‘come’ and ‘y’ as in ‘beauty’. |
Now, divide the following words from the text as root words and suffixes.
| gladly | banker | guidance | quietly | walking |
Answer:
Glad + ly
Bank + er
Guide + ance
Quiet + ly
Walk + ing
Check your answer with the teacher.
1. Study the words in Column 1. Match the suffixes in Column 2 with their meanings or purpose in Column 3. Write a few examples for
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 Meaning/Purpose) | Column 4 (Examples) |
| Biology | (i) – logy | A. change to adverb | Sociology |
| tolerance | (ii) -ance | B. change to plural | |
| stopped | (iii) -ed | C. a study of | |
| backward | (iv) -ward | D. change to superlative | |
| courageous | (v) -ous | E. change to past tense | |
| quietly | (vi) -ly | F. change to a noun | |
| toughest | (vii) -est | G. in a certain direction | |
| tomatoes | (viii) -es | H. change to adjective |
Answer:
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 Meaning/Purpose) | Column 4 (Examples) |
| Biology | (i) – logy | C. a study of | Sociology, Psychology, Geology |
| tolerance | (ii) -ance | F. change to a noun | Acceptance, relevance, importance |
| stopped | (iii) -ed | E. change to past tense | Walked, jumped, opened |
| backward | (iv) -ward | G. in a certain direction | Forward, windward, homeward |
| courageous | (v) -ous | H. change to adjective | Generous, dangerous, poisonous |
| quietly | (vi) -ly | A. change to adverb | Slowly, quietly, dangerously |
| toughest | (vii) -est | D. Change to superlative | Hardest, smallest, Boldest |
| tomatoes | (viii) -es | B. change to plural | Potatoes, stitches, volcanoes |
2. Fill in the blanks using words given in the brackets by adding suitable suffixes.
To communicate (i) ___________ (effective), choose your words and topics (ii) ___________ (wise). Avoid (iii) ___________ (discuss) things you don’t know much about or that could upset someone. Remember to be (iv) ___________ (respect) towards others, including yourself, and express your (v) ___________ (appreciate). Finally, always be (vi) ___________ (response) by replying promptly to communicate.
Answer:
To communicate (i) effectively (effective), choose your words and topics (ii) wisely (wise). Avoid (iii) discussing (discuss) things you don’t know much about or that could upset someone. Remember to be (iv) respectful (respect) towards others, including yourself, and express your (v) appreciation(appreciate). Finally, always be (vi) responsive (response) by replying promptly to communicate.
II. Read the highlighted words in the following sentences from the text.
• But does anyone want to hear the things that you say?
• I can’t tell you everything.
Select the correct answer.
Is there a difference in the meanings of ‘say’ and ‘tell’? (Yes/ No)
Answer: YES
• ‘Say’ focuses on the message and does not always require a listener.
• ‘Tell’ focuses on who receives the message and always needs a listener.
1. Fill in the blanks with suitable words from the sets of words given in the box below. Make changes in the verb forms (tense), if necessary.
| fetch: go somewhere to get something and bring it back bring: take something with you to the place you are going • see: something that we view, whether or not we pay attention look: focus your eyes in a certain direction by paying attention • live: permanent place of residence stay: temporary presence in a location as a guest or visitor • study: spend time learning something as part of formal education learn: gain knowledge or skill through study or experience • speak: express thoughts or ideas aloud, often in formal situations talk: engage in informal conversation with someone • hear: perceive sounds unintentionally through the ears listen: pay attention to sounds or speech intentionally |
(i) I _________ at the photo, but I didn’t _________ anyone familiar.
(ii) I’d better go and _________ my mother from the station, and then _________ her home.
(iii) I need to _________ for my mathematics exam this weekend, so I hope to _________ new concepts along the way.
(iv) I can _________ the music from my neighbour’s house, but I need to _________ to it carefully to understand the lyrics.
(v) “Could I _________ to Mrs. Kalpana, who is going to _________ to us about gardening,” said Ritu.
(vi) I _________ in a small town, but I often _________ with my relatives in the city.
Answer:
(i) I looked at the photo, but I didn’t see anyone familiar.
(ii) I’d better go and fetch my mother from the station, and then bring her home.
(iii) I need to study for my mathematics exam this weekend, so I hope to learn new concepts along the way.
(iv) I can hear the music from my neighbour’s house, but I need to listen to it carefully to understand the lyrics.
(v) “Could I talk to Mrs. Kalpana, who is going to speak to us about gardening,” said Ritu.
(vi) I live in a small town, but I often stay with my relatives in the city.
II. Read the following sentences from the text and underline the verbs.
• They lived in London before.
• I met her in a shop and asked her to come.
As you know, the verbs you have underlined are in simple past tense. (actions that happened in the past or distant past)
Read the following sentence from the text and underline the verb.
She has been staying with them for a while.
The verb you have underlined is in present perfect continuous tense.
| We use present perfect continuous (has/have + been + verb + -ing) to indicate: The duration of an action that started in the past and continues up to the present moment. • Mrs. Shaw has been preparing the room since the morning for Mrs. Harding and Mrs. Lee’s visit. An action that was ongoing in the recent past, with its results evident now. The focus is on the ongoing activity rather than its completion. • Mrs. Shaw has been cleaning the room since the morning. (The room looks spotless now.) • The students have been practising a play about the story. (They are rehearsed and ready.) |
1. Fill in the blanks using the verbs given in brackets in present continuous or present perfect continuous tense.
The students (i) ______________ (organise) a play and setting up the stage. They (ii) ______________ (prepare) for weeks to make everything perfect. The performers (iii) ______________ (rehearse) every day, and their excitement (iv) ______________ (grow). The sound in-charge (v) ______________ (test) the microphones to check the sound quality. Everyone (vi) ______________ (work) hard, and now the place (vii) ______________ (buzz) with energy and excitement.
Answer:
The students (i) are organising (organise) a play and setting up the stage. They (ii) have been preparing (prepare) for weeks to make everything perfect. The performers (iii) have been rehearsing (rehearse) every day, and their excitement (iv) is growing (grow). The sound in-charge (v) is testing (test) the microphones to check the sound quality. Everyone (vi) is working (work) hard, and now the place (vii) is buzzing (buzz) with
energy and excitement.
IV. Read the explanation about the kinds of sentences given in the table below.
1. Identify the kinds of sentences and punctuate them appropriately.
(i) the meeting starts at 10.00 a.m. in the conference room
(ii) what an exciting adventure it was
(iii) how did you solve the problem so quickly
(iv) what is the weather forecast today
(v) how beautiful is the rainbow
(vi) clean up your room before dinner
(vii) the children are planning a surprise party for their mom
(viii) turn off the music
Answer:
(i) The meeting starts at 10:00 a.m. in the conference room.
Declarative sentence (statement)
(ii) What an exciting adventure it was!
Exclamatory sentence (shows strong feeling)
(iii) How did you solve the problem so quickly?
Interrogative sentence (question)
(iv) What is the weather forecast today?
Interrogative sentence (question)
(v) How beautiful is the rainbow!
Exclamatory sentence (shows strong feeling)
(vi) Clean up your room before dinner.
Imperative sentence (command)
(vii) The children are planning a surprise party for their mom.
Declarative sentence (statement)
(viii) Turn off the music.
Imperative sentence (command)
Let us listen (Page 84)
I. Mrs. Shaw wanted Mary to learn to say the right thing. You will listen to a conversation between a mother and her son about basic manners. As you listen, fill in the blanks given below by selecting the correct option.
(Transcript for the teacher on pg. 89 )
1. How did the son behave in the grocery queue?
(i) strangely (ii) impatiently (iii) politely
Answer:
(ii) impatiently
2. The mother finally refers to her son as a __________________.
(i) polite young man (ii) responsible son (iii) grateful person
Answer:
(i) polite young man
II. You will once again listen to the conversation. As you listen, select four true statements from 1– 7 given below.
1. The mother uses the grocery store incident as an opportunity to teach her son about patience and fairness.
2. The son recognises the value of apologising and understands that it shows he notices others.
3. The son is gradually learning the importance of polite words and actions from his mother’s guidance.
4. The mother discourages her son from speaking softly in public, suggesting that people should adjust to his voice level.
5. The son feels that covering his mouth when coughing is only important when he’s at home.
6. The son receives all advice readily while understanding its importance.
7. The mother uses praise to support the polite behaviours she wants her son to continue practising
Answer:
The following four statements are TRUE:
1. The mother uses the grocery store incident as an opportunity to teach her son about patience and fairness.
2. The son recognises the value of apologising and understands that it shows he notices others.
3. The son is gradually learning the importance of polite words and actions from his mother’s guidance.
7. The mother uses praise to support the polite behaviours she wants her son to continue practising
Let us speak (Page 84-85)
As you know
• Intonation is the rise and fall of the pitch of tone while speaking.
Let us learn about sentence stress.
• Sentence stress is laying emphasis on certain word(s) in a sentence.
→ The emphasis on particular words helps to convey the meaning and importance of the sentence.
→ Content words like book, run, beautiful, quickly, etc., are mostly stressed instead of function words like she, in, is, etc., in a sentence.
I. Speak the given declarative sentence aloud.
I saw Mrs. Cotter this afternoon.
• Use falling intonation towards end of the sentence as declarative sentences usually have falling intonation.
• Stress the words ‘Mrs. Cotter’.
Remember, stress does not mean to say the word louder than others. It means to say a word with more emphasis than others.
II. Speak the following declarative sentences with falling intonation and stress the highlighted words.
1. The room looks cleaner now.
2. You always talk too much.
3. You leave your clothes all over the house.
III. Work in pairs and speak the following sentences 1–5 aloud, as Mary.
Apply stress and falling intonation. Match each of the sentences to the meaning they convey in (i)–(v).
Sentences
1. I didn’t hurt anyone today.
2. I didn’t hurt anyone today.
3. I didn’t hurt anyone today.
4. I didn’t hurt anyone today.
5. I didn’t hurt anyone today.
Meaning conveyed
(i) I might have done other things but did not hurt anyone.
(ii) I might cause hurt usually, but not anyone on this day.
(iii) The action of hurting anyone did not occur.
(iv) I, specifically, did not hurt anyone, possibly implying someone else might have.
(v) I may have spoken a lot many things but not a single person was hurt.
Here’s how the stress and falling intonation can change the meaning of the same sentence “I didn’t hurt anyone today.” Each version emphasizes a different word to match the meanings:
| 1. I didn’t hurt anyone today. | (iv) I, specifically, did not hurt anyone, possibly implying someone else might have. |
| 2. I didn’t hurt anyone today. | (iii) The action of hurting anyone did not occur. |
| 3. I didn’t hurt anyone today. | (v) I may have spoken a lot many things but not a single person was hurt. |
| 4. I didn’t hurt anyone today. | (i) I might have done other things but did not hurt anyone. |
| 5. I didn’t hurt anyone today. | (ii) I might cause hurt usually, but not anyone on this day. |
IV. Now, speak the given declarative sentence with rising intonation towards
the end of sentence and stress the highlighted words.
I saw Mrs. Cotter this afternoon.
The rising intonation makes it sound like a question. It asks whether I was the person who actually saw Mrs. Cotter: Did I see Mrs. Cotter this afternoon?
| Remember The way we use stress and intonation in a sentence can change the meaning of what we wish to say if we are not careful. |
Let us write (Page 86)
Rewrite the play ‘Say the Right Thing’ as a short story, focusing on Mary’s interactions with her mother and the guests.
• Ensure the story captures the main events, character emotions, and humorous moments effectively.
• Use paragraphs to organise your story and include descriptive language to bring the characters and events to life.
You may refer to the following hints:
• Begin with an introduction: describe Mary and Mrs. Shaw, their relationship and the setting of the story.
• Explain Mrs. Shaw’s instructions to Mary before the guests arrive and Mary’s confidence in handling the situation.
• Narrate the events when Mrs. Harding and Mrs. Lee visit, highlighting Mary’s remarks and the guests’ reactions.
• Include key moments of humour and awkwardness to maintain the tone of the play.
• Conclude by commenting on how the visit ended and Mary’s impact on the situation
Answer:
Mary was a spirited girl with a knack for saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. Her mother, Mrs. Shaw, worried about Mary’s ability to interact in polite company. So, before their new neighbours—Mrs. Harding and Mrs. Lee—arrived, Mrs. Shaw advised her to be kind and say things that will please the guests. Mary, ever confident, promised to be charming.
But the moment the guests sat down, Mary made one blunder after another which offended the two ladies. She complimented Mrs. Harding’s children—who didn’t exist. She mocked bankers—unaware Mrs. Lee’s brother was one. She ridiculed a woman’s red coat and blue dress combination which Mrs. Harding’s happened to favour. Even their dog wasn’t spared.
Each blunt remark was followed by an awkward silence and Mary’s tactless words: “Oh, I didn’t know.”
Just when the embarrassed Mrs. Shaw thought it couldn’t get worse, Mary made the biggest blunder of all by cheerfully asking, “Oh, must you stay? Can’t you go?”
The visit ended abruptly. Mary may not have said the right thing, but she certainly ensured that it was a visit no one would forget!
Let us explore (Page 86)
I. Work in groups. Enact your favourite part of the play.
Points to remember:
• Allot a specific role to each member in the group.
For example: director, narrator, and characters
Remember
The way we use stress and intonation in a sentence can change the
meaning of what we wish to say if we are not careful.
Answer:
Form a group of students and enact it yourself with the guidance of your teacher
II. Find out how people greet guests who visit their homes in different languages. Share it with your classmates and the teacher.
Answer:
A few words of greeting in several Indian languages should be compiled by you after asking students in your class who come from different states. A sample is provided for your guidance:
| Language | Greeting |
| Hindi | Hamāre ghar mein āpkā swāgat hai |
| Bengali | Āmāder bāṛite āpnāke swāgata janai |
| Gujarati | Amārā gharam̐ tamāruṁ swāgat chhe. |
| Marathi | Āmchyā gharī tumcha swāgat āhe |
| Oriya | Āmara gharaku āpaṇanku swāgata. |
| Tamil | Eṅgaḷ vīṭṭil varavēṟkiṟōm |
| Telegu | Mā intiki swāgatam |
| Kannada | Nam’ma manegē swāgata. |
| Assamese | Āmār ghoroloi āponāk swāgatam |
These expressions are perfect for making guests feel at home in any Indian household! These greetings not only reflect linguistic variety but also the cultural warmth each region offers to its guests. Of course, these words are accompanied with a smile and folded hands!
Hope you found our solutions to NCERT Class 7 English Poorvi Wit and Humour Chapter 6 ‘Say The Right Thing’ helpful! Need extra help? Book a free demo class now!
