One app for all your study abroad needs
NCERT Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 7 has a story from “The Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator” by Roald Dahl. The story “Invention of Vita-Wonk” revolves around Mr Willy Wonka and his invention- “Vita-Wonk”. Further, the chapter includes a poem “Dad and the Cat and the Tree” by Kit Wright. In these notes, we will explore word meanings relevant to the story and the summary of the poem. Also, you will find answers to writing questions following the prose and the poetry. All the solutions are per the latest CBSE curriculum. Let us begin!!
Download NCERT Solutions Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 7 Important Questions and Answers PDF
Table of Contents
Access Notes of all Chapters of Class 7 English ‘Honeycomb’ here:
NCERT Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 7: The Invention of Vita-Wonk
NCERT Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 7 is a story about Mr Willy Wonka who wants to invent a machine to make people younger. As the story unfolds, we discover that he draws inspiration from old living things around him like trees and animals and goes on with his experiment.
Thus, to help you understand the story, we have enlisted all important words and phrases and their meanings in the prose. Also, we have answered writing questions following “The Invention of Vita-Wonk”.
Important Words and Phrases and Their Meanings
- Set to work: Started to work
- Recipe: Guide to prepare something
- Fir: A tree with needle leaves and cones
- Oak: A family of large trees with hardwood. Example: Chinnar in Kashmir
- Cedar: An evergreen tree with hard, red sweet-smelling wood. The wood is used to make pencils, boxes, and fences.
- Pine: an evergreen tree with needle-shaped leaves, and cones
- Flea: a small insect living on the skin of animals, for their blood
- Tracked down: Found something after looking for it
Improve your vocabulary with:
| 20+ Daily Used English Words: with Meaning |
| 199+ Top Synonyms List to Strengthen Your Vocabulary |
| 450+ Common English words with Hindi meaning |
Download NCERT Solutions Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 7 Important Questions and Answers PDF
Download NCERT Solutions of all Chapters of Class 7 English ‘Honeycomb’ here:
NCERT Solutions Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 7 Prose: The Invention of Vita-Wonka
Now, let us dive into NCERT solutions to questions in the Comprehensive Check, Working with the Text, Working with Language, and Writing sections in the Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 7.
Comprehension Check
Ques 1. Choose the correct answer
(i) Mr Willy Wonka is
(a) A cook,
(b) An inventor,
(c) A manager
(ii) Wonka-Vite makes people
(a) Older
(b) Younger
(iii) Mr Wonka wants to invent a new thing which will make people
(a) Younger
(b) Older
Ans:
(i) Option (b) An inventor
(ii) Option (b) Younger
(iii) Option (b) Older
Ques 2. Can anyone’s age be a minus number? What does “minus 87” mean?
Ans: Age cannot be a negative number.
A negative number like “minus 87” would imply waiting to be born or not yet being born.
Ques 3. Mr Wonka begins by asking himself two questions. What are they?
(i) What is________________________?
(ii) What lives______________________?
Ans:
(i) What is the oldest living thing in the world?
(ii) What lives longer than anyone else?
Working with the Text
Ques 1. Answer the following questions:
(i) What trees does Mr Wonka mention? Which tree does he say lives the longest?
(ii) How long does this tree live? Where can you find it?
Ans:
(i) Mr Wonka talks about the following trees:
- Cedar
- Oak
- Douglas fir
- Bristlecone pine
Mr Wonka says that the Bristlecone pine has the longest life.
(ii) Bristlecone pines live for more than 4000 years. These trees are usually found on the slopes of Wheeler Peak in Nevada, U.S.A.
Ques 2. How many of the oldest living things can you remember from Mr Wonka’s list? Do you think all these things really exist, or are some of them purely imaginary?
Ans: Mr Wonka mentions the following living things and their ages:
| Trees | Age |
| Bristlecone Pine | 4000 |
| Cattalo | 700 |
| Giant Rat | 207 |
| Tortoise | 200 |
| Russian farmer | 168 |
| Grimalkin | 97 |
| Horse | 51 |
| Flea | 36 |
| Cat | 36 |
Ques 3. Why does Mr Wonka collect items from the oldest things? Do you think this is the right way to begin his invention?
Ans: Mr. Wonka gathers items from the oldest things because his objective is to create a device that can increase people’s age. While researching the oldest things can provide valuable insights into the factors contributing to their longevity, the approach of collecting small items from these species may not be the most practical way to initiate his invention.
Ques 4. What happens to the volunteer who swallows four drops of the new invention? What is the name of the invention?
Ans: The volunteer underwent a dramatic transformation, experiencing wrinkles, shrinkage, hair loss, and tooth loss, which rapidly aged him to a seventy-five-year-old man. This remarkable invention responsible for the change was named “Vita-Wonk.”
Working with Language
Ques 2. Fill in the blanks in the recipe given below with words from the box.
| Shred | Cooker | Times | Tomatoes | Half | Onion | Oil |
Easy Plak Dal
Ingredients
- One________________
- One cup dal
- Two thin green chillies
- _________________ a teaspoon red chilli powder
- Eight small bunches of palak
- Two_____________
- Salt to taste
Wash and cut the vegetables;_____________ the palak. Put everything in a pressure____________. Let the cooker whistle three______________, then switch it off. Fry a few cumin seeds in____________ and add to the palak-dal.
Ans:
Ingredients
- One__onion____
- One cup dal
- Two thin green chillies
- __Half___ a teaspoon red chilli powder
- Eight small bunches of palak
- Two__tomatoes____
- Salt to taste
Wash and cut the vegetables;__shred___________ the palak. Put everything in a pressure__cooker__________. Let the cooker whistle three___times___________, then switch it off. Fry a few cumin seeds in__oil__________ and add to the palak-dal.
Writing
Ques 1. Answer the following questions:
(i) Make a list of the trees Mr Wonka mentions. Where do these trees grow? T ry to find out from an encyclopaedia. Write a short paragraph about two or three of these trees.
Ans: Mr Wonka mentions these trees:
- Bristlecone pine
- Oak
- Douglas Fir
- Cedar
Bristlecone Pine trees thrive in the elevated mountains of the southwestern United States, with some of these ancient trees exceeding 4,000 years in age.
Oak trees can be found in regions with cool temperate to tropical climates in both Asia and the Americas.
Douglas fir tree is located in coastal areas stretching from west-central British Columbia to central California.
Cedar trees are situated in mountainous areas in the western Himalayas and the Mediterranean region.
(ii) Name some large trees commonly found in your area. Find out something about them (How old are they? Who planted them? Do birds eat their fruit?), and write two or three sentences about each one of them.
Ans: Here are some large trees found in my neighbourhood:
- Banyan Trees
- Peepal trees
- Neem Trees
Banyan Trees: Banyan trees have impressive aerial prop roots that grow down to the ground. These roots give them a unique and majestic appearance. They are native to India and are considered a religious symbol. Also, it provides shade to people and birds.
Peepal Trees: Also called the sacred fig, Peepal trees hold spiritual importance in many cultures, particularly in India. These trees have heart-shaped leaves. Also, it holds a spiritual value as it is believed that Buddha attained enlightenment under a Peepal tree makes them culturally significant.
Neem Trees: Neem trees are well-regarded for their medicinal properties. In India, neem leaves and branches have been used in traditional medicine for centuries. They are native to South Asia. They have bitter leaves with various health benefits, including antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory qualities.
Ques 2. Find out something interesting about age, or growing old, and write a paragraph about it. Following are a few topics, suggested as examples.
- The age profile of a country’s population — does it have more young people than old people, or vice versa? What are the consequences of this?
- How can we tell how old a tree, a horse, or a rock is?
- What is the ‘life expectancy’ of various living things, and various populations (how long can they reasonably expect to live)?
Ans: The age profile of a country’s population known as demographics, is a crucial factor in understanding the composition of its people. Demographics can show whether a country has more young people or older people. A population with a higher proportion of young people might experience a “youth bulge,” which can bring about challenges and opportunities. It could lead to a potential workforce advantage but also strains on resources like education and healthcare. In contrast, an ageing population might face issues related to healthcare and pension systems but could benefit from the wisdom and experience of older citizens.
It is fascinating how the age structure of a population can shape a nation’s priorities and policies, as it affects various aspects of society, from the economy to healthcare, education, and social services. Understanding these demographics is essential for governments and policymakers to plan for the well-being and development of their countries.
Let’s have fun with English Language
| English Quiz: 15-minute Test to Check Your Language Proficiency |
| Quiz Your Inner Grammar Nazi With this Grammar Test |
| One Word Substitution Quiz For Competitive Exams |
Access Notes of all Poems of Class 7 English ‘Honeycomb’ here:
NCERT Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 7 Poem: Dad and the Cat and the Tree
Now, we will walk you through the summary of the poem in the Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 7. In addition, we have word meanings and phrases and their meanings in the poem. Also, we have answered writing questions under the “Working with the Poem” section. Let’s proceed!!
Summary of Poem: Dad and the Cat and the Tree
“Dad and the Cat and the Tree” by Kit Wright is a humorous poem that tells the story of a father’s comical attempts to rescue a cat stuck in a tree. The poem unfolds with a morning when a cat gets stuck in a tree in the family’s yard. The dad confidently offers to rescue the cat, while the rest of the family, including the mom, expresses concern for his safety.
However, Dad’s first attempt to climb the tree using a ladder fails as he slips and falls into a flower bed. Determined to rescue the cat, he proceeds with “Plan B,” attempting to climb the tree directly. However, the branch he’s on breaks, and he lands on the deck. Eventually, the family starts worrying about his safety as Dad insists on trying “Plan C.”
Nevertheless, to everyone’s surprise, Dad successfully climbs the garden wall and leaps into the tree, landing right on top of the cat. The cat, while unharmed, promptly jumps down from the tree and is delighted to be safe. However, in a humorous twist, Dad finds himself stuck in the tree while the cat is safe on the ground.
Also Read: Poems on Gandhi Jayanti
Important Words and Phrases and Their Meanings
Now, let us have a look at important phrases and words in the chapter:
- Wobbly: Shaky
- For goodness’ sake: An expression of surprise or annoyance
- Scoffed: Ridicule
- Child’s play: Easy task
- Landed wallop: Fell down heavily
- Pleased as Punch: Extremely pleased
- Safe and sound: Unscathed or unhurt
Are you interested in poetry? Then read the following:
| Poems By Harivansh Rai Bachchan That You Must Read! |
| How to Become a Poet: A Detailed Guide |
| 50+ Poetic Devices with Examples You Should Know |
Download NCERT Solutions Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 7 Important Questions and Answers PDF
Download NCERT Solutions of all Poems of Class 7 English ‘Honeycomb’ here:
NCERT Solutions Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 7 Poem: Dad and the Cat and the Tree
Furthermore, in this section, we will explore answers to questions following the Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 7 poetry “Dad and the Cat and the Tree”.
Working with the Poem: Dad and the Cat the Tree
Ques 1. Why was Dad sure he wouldn’t fall?
Ans: Dad was confident that he would not fall as he believed that he was an excellent tree climber.
Ques 2. Which phrase in the poem expresses Dad’s self-confidence best?
Ans: Dad’s self-confidence is displayed with this phrase- “Easy as winking to a climber like me.”
Ques 3. Describe Plan A and its consequences.
Ans: According to Plan A, Dad was supposed to climb the tree using a ladder. However, his leg slipped and he fell heavily on the ground.
Ques 4. Plan C was a success. What went wrong then?
Ans: Dad’s Plan C worked. He managed to reach the spot where the cat was stuck in the tree. However, as soon as he got there, the cat quickly jumped down to the ground.
Ques 5. The cat was very happy to be on the ground. Pick out the phrase used to express this idea.
Ans: “Smiling and smirking’ represents that the cat was elated to be on the ground.
Ques 6. Describe the Cat and Dad situation in the beginning and at the end of the poem.
Ans: At the start, the cat was in the tree, and Dad was on the ground trying to help. By the end, Dad ended up stuck in the tree, and the cat was safely on the ground, free from the tree.
Ques 7. Why and when did Dad say each of the following?
(i) Fall?
(ii) Never mind
(iii) Funny joke
(iv) Rubbish
Ans:
(i) Fall?: When the Dad’s wife alerted him about falling, he exclaimed “Fall?” to display confidence that he is a great climber.
(ii) Never mind: When Dad fell down from the ladder while climbing the tree, he said “Never mind”. He was brushing dust off his clothes when he said this.
(iii) Funny joke: Once again when the wife warns the Dad against falling, he says “funny joke” to boast about his climbing skills.
(iv) Rubbish: After failing in Plan B, the Dad said “Rubbish” when he warned him against falling for the third time.
Ques 8. Do you find the poem humorous? Read aloud lines which make you laugh.
Ans: Here are the lines that make the poem humorous:
“Then he swung himself up
On a branch. It broke.”
“The cat gave a yell
And sprang to the ground,”
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 |
FAQs
Ans: This poem was written by Kit Wright.
Ans: This book is authored by Roald Dalph.
Ans: He invented a time machine called “Vita-Wonk”.
Explore More:
Follow Leverage Edu for complete study material on CBSE Notes of Class 7 English.