NCERT Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 1 includes a story and a poem. The story “Three Questions” is a retold version of the prose by Leo Tolstoy. On the other hand, the poem “The Squirrel” is written by Mildred Bowers Armstrong. Both pieces of literature are followed by questions under several sections. To help you answer the questions swiftly and help you score well on your tests, we have answered them for you. Answers to Class 7 English Chapter 1 are per the latest CBSE curriculum.
Keep reading to get all your answers!!
Download NCERT Solutions Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 1 Important Questions and Answers PDF
Also Read: CBSE NCERT Notes Class 6 English
Table of Contents
Access Notes of all Chapters of Class 7 English ‘Honeycomb’ here:
NCERT Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 1: Three Questions
The story “Three Questions” by Leo Tolstoy is the story of a king who has a quest to become a successful ruler. To become an efficient ruler, he was looking for answers to three questions:
- What is the right time to begin something?
- Which people should he listen to?
- What is the most important thing for him to do?
In his quest to find answers to these questions, he met a hermit. When he was with the hermit, his enemy came in to kill him. Instead, the king saved his enemy’s life. While saving his life and conversing with the hermit, the king got answers to all three questions. After getting the solutions, he sent a messenger to the village to inform everyone that he had got his answers. In the entire process, he realised the need to become a benevolent and wise ruler for the benefit of his kingdom.
Important Words and Phrases and Their Meanings
Let us now learn about relevant words and phrases and their meanings in NCERT Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 1 stor: Three Questions.
- Council: An elected assembly of individuals designated to provide guidance or establish rules.
- Councillors: Members of the council
- Hermit: An individual who leads a simple life in isolation
- Woods/Wood: A small forest
- Affairs: Business or matter of importance
- Beds: Tiny patches of land for planting
- Fainted: Lost Consciousness
- Seized: Took something forcefully
- Faithful: Truthful and loyal
Also Read:
50 Difficult Words with Meanings |
20+ Daily Used English Words with Meaning |
English Vocabulary: Meaning, Types, Tips to Improve |
55+ Phrases with Meaning to Boost Your Vocabulary |
Download NCERT Solutions of all Chapters of Class 7 English ‘Honeycomb’ here:
Download NCERT Solutions Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 1 Important Questions and Answers PDF
NCERT Solutions Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 1 Prose: Three Questions
Now, let us go through answers to writing questions under the Comprehension Check I, Comprehension Check II, Working with the Text, Working with the Language, and Writing sections under Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 1 story.
Comprehension Check I
Ques 1. Why did the king want to know the answers to three questions?
Ans: The king wanted to answer the three questions because he wanted to become a successful ruler.
Ques 2. Select the correct option
Messengers were sent throughout the kingdom
(i) to fetch wise men.
(ii) to find answers to the questions.
(iii) to look for the wise hermit.
(iv) to announce a reward for those who could answer the questions.
Ans: Option (ii) to find answers to the questions.
Comprehension Check II
Complete the following sentences by adding the appropriate parts of the sentences given in the box.
1. Many wise men answered the king’s questions___________________________________.
2. Someone suggested that there should be a council of wise men______________________.
3. Someone else suggested that the king should have a timetable_______________________.
4. The king requested the hermit_________________________________________________.
5. The kings washed and dressed the bearded man’s wound___________________________.
but the bleeding would not stop. |
to answer three questions. |
but their answers were so varied that the king was not satisfied. |
and follow it strictly. |
to help the king act at the right time. |
Ans:
1. but their answers were so varied that the king was not satisfied.
2. to help the king act at the right time.
3. and follow it strictly.
4. to answer three questions.
5. but the bleeding would not stop.
Working with the Text
Answer the following questions:
Ques 1. Why was the king advised to go to magicians?
Ans: Some wise people believed that figuring out when to do something was like seeing into the future. Also, they thought only magicians could do that. So, they told the king to ask the magicians for advice.
Ques 2. In answer to the second question, whose advice did the people say would be important to the king?
Ans: In response to the second question, different wise people had different opinions about who should advise the king. Some thought councillors were best, while others preferred priests. On the other hand, some believed doctors’ advice mattered most. However, some thought that the soldiers’ advice was the most crucial.
Ques 3. What suggestions were made in answer to the third question?
Ans: When it came to the third question, some wise men thought that focusing on science was the most important, while others believed that a king should prioritize warfare. Whereas, some considered religious worship as the most crucial thing for a king to do.
Ques 4. Did the wise men win the reward? If not, why not?
Ans: No wise men received the reward because they all provided different answers, and none of their responses satisfied the king.
Ques 5. How did the king and the hermit help the wounded man?
Ans: At first, the king cleaned the wound by washing it. Then, he covered the wound with his handkerchief. Thereafter, he kept tending to the wound until the bleeding had completely stopped. After that, the king gave the wounded man some water to drink. The king and the hermit then helped the injured man into the hut and allowed him to rest there for the night.
Ques 6. (i) Who was the bearded man?
(ii) Why did he ask for the king’s forgiveness?
Ans:
(i) The bearded man was the king’s enemy. He had arrived there to seek vengeance for his brother’s death and reclaim his property from the king.
(ii) The bearded man asked for the king’s forgiveness as he came to kill the king, instead, the king saved his enemy’s life.
Ques 7. The king forgave the bearded man. What did he do to show his forgiveness?
Ans: The king pardoned the bearded man and showed his forgiveness by offering to send a doctor and servants to look after the wounded man. Moreover, he promised to return the bearded man’s property.
Ques 8. What were the hermit’s answers to the three questions? Write each answer separately. Which answer do you like most, and why?
Ans: Here are the answers of the hermit to the king’s three questions:
- The right time to do something is “now” because it is the only time when we can take action.
- The most important person is the person you are with at a particular moment because we cannot predict the future.
- The most important thing to do is to perform acts of kindness and goodness to others because that is our primary purpose on Earth.
Working with Language
Ques 1. Match the items in List A with their meanings in List B.
List A | List B |
(i) Wounded | got up from sleep |
(ii) Awoke | give back |
(iii) Forgive | small patches of ground for plants |
(iv) Faithful | severely injured |
(v) Pity | pardon |
(vi) Beds | loyal |
(vii) Return | feel sorry for |
Use any three of the above words in sentences of your own. You may change the form of the word.
Ans:
List A | List B |
(i) Wounded | severely injured |
(ii) Awoke | got up from sleep |
(iii) Forgive | pardon |
(iv) Faithful | loyal |
(v) Pity | feel sorry for |
(vi) Beds | small patches of ground for plants |
(vii) Return | give back |
Ques 2. Each of the following sentences has two blanks. Fill in the blanks with appropriate forms of the word given in brackets.
Example: He has____________ to help me. Do you think he will remember his_______________? (promise) He has promised to help me. Do you think he will remember his promise? |
(i) The_(a)_______________said that only fresh evidence would make him change his_(b)___________. (Judge)
(ii) I didn’t notice any serious_(a)____________of opinion among the debaters, although they_(b)_________ from one another over small points. (differ)
(iii) It’s a fairly simple question to_(a)___________,but will you accept my_____________ as final? (answer)
(iv) It isn’t_(a)____________ that _(b)_____________ should always be the mother of invention. (necessary)
(v) Hermits are_(a)____________ men. How they acquire their_(b)____________ no one can tell. (wise)
(vi) The committee has_(a)_____________ to make Jagdish captain of the team. The_(b)__________ is likely to please everyone. (decide)
(vii) Asking for_(a)______________ is as noble as willingness to_(b)______________ (forgive)
Ans:
(i) (a) judge; (b) judgement
(ii) (a) difference; (b) differed
(iii) (a) answer; (b) answer
(iv) (a) necessary; (b) necessity
(v) (a) wise; (b) wisdom
(vi) (a) decided; (b) decision’
(vii) (a) forgiveness; (b) forgive
Writing
Ques 2. Imagine you are the hermit. Write briefly the incident of your meeting the king. Begin like this:
One day I was digging in my garden. A man in ordinary clothes came to see me. I knew it was the king.. |
Ans: One day, while I was working in my garden, a man in regular clothing, who I knew was the king, approached me. He explained that he was seeking answers to three questions and wanted me to provide them. I greeted him politely and resumed my digging. As I continued to work and grew weary, the king offered to assist me. I agreed and handed him the shovel. He started digging, and after some time, he repeated the same three questions to me. Despite this, I opted not to answer and instead offered to help him if he felt tired. He declined my offer and continued to dig.
Also Read: 160+ Best & Easy English Speech Topics for Students
Access Summary of all Poems of Class 7 English ‘Honeycomb’ here:
NCERT Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 1 Poem: The Squirrel
Now, we will go through the summary of the poem “The Squirrel” in NCERT Class 7 English Chapter 1. Also, our subject experts have provided answers to writing questions in the “Working with the Poem” section. Let’s proceed!!
Summary of Poem: The Squirrel
“The Squirrel” is a poem about a playful and mischievous squirrel by Mildred Bowers Armstrong. The poem describes the squirrel as wearing a question mark for a tail and having a grey overcoat. The squirrel enjoys playing games and teasing people. When people try to catch him by running around the tree, he cleverly goes the other way to avoid them.
It’s a fun and fantastic poem that captures the playful nature of a squirrel.
Read More: Poems By Harivansh Rai Bachchan That You Must Read!
Download NCERT Solutions of all Poems of Class 7 English ‘Honeycomb’ here:
Download NCERT Solutions Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 1 Important Questions and Answers PDF
NCERT Solutions Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 1 Poem
Now, let us dive into questions and answers following NCERT Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 1 poem.
Working with the Poem
Ques 1. Why does the poet say the squirrel “wore a question mark for tail”? How would you describe its tail?
Ans: The poet describes the squirrel as having a tail that resembled a question mark because it was curled in a way that looked like the punctuation mark.
Ques 2. Do we usually say that an animal ‘wears’ a tail? What do we say?
Ans: No. We do not usually say that an animal ‘wears’ a tail. We say that “an animal ‘has’ a tail”.
Ques 3. “He liked to tease and play”. Who is teasing whom? How?
Ans: The squirrel is teasing the poet because whenever he tries to catch him by running around the tree, he cleverly goes the other way to avoid them.
Also Read: 50+ Poetic Devices with Examples You Should Know
Get NCERT Solutions and Notes of Class 7 English ‘An Alien Hand’ textbook here:
Chapter 1: The Tiny Teacher |
Chapter 2: Bringing Up Kari |
Chapter 3: Golu Grows a Nose |
Chapter 4: Chandni |
Chapter 5: The Bear Story |
Chapter 6: A Tiger in the House |
Chapter 7: An Alien Hand |
Explore More:
FAQs
Ans: “Three Questions” in Honeycomb Chapter 1 is a retold version of the story by Leo Tolstoy.
Ans: Mildred Bowers Armstrong is the poet of Class 7 English Unit 1 Poem “The Squirrel”.
Ans: Here is a list of some of the most-read Tolstoy books:
War and Peace
Anna Karenina
Childhood
A Confession
After the Ball
Follow Leverage Edu for complete study material on CBSE Notes of Class 7 English.