Students can use Poorvi Book Class 7 Solutions Unit 1 Learning Together Chapter 1 The Day the River Spoke Questions and Answers as a quick reference guide.
The Day the River Spoke Class 7 Questions and Answers
The Day the River Spoke Class 7 Question Answer
NCERT Class 7 English Poorvi Chapter 1 The Day the River Spoke Question Answer
The Day the River Spoke Question Answer – Let us do these activities before we read (Page 1)
I. Close your eyes and quietly listen to the sounds around you for a minute.
Question 1.
Are they trying to tell you something?
Answer:
The sounds around us, such as the rustling of leaves, chirping of birds, or the flowing of water, seem to communicate in their own way. They remind us of nature’s presence, the movement of life, and sometimes even reflect our own emotions, just like the River spoke to Jahnavi.
Question 2.
Do you think the things around you also listen to you all day long?
Answer:
Yes, in a way, the world around us listens to us. Nature, like the River in the story, seems to understand feelings and respond in its own way. Even the walls of a house or the trees in a garden bear silent witness to everything happening around them.
II. Jahnavi was a bright young girl who lived with her parents and three brothers in a coastal village in India. Her parents worked on the farm. She had a dream.
Question 1.
What could Jahnavi’s dream be?
Answer:
Jahnavi’s dream was to go to school, learn to read and write, and understand the world around her. She wanted to gain knowledge like her elder brother and friend Meena.
Question 2.
How could she make her dream come true?
Answer:
Jahnavi needed courage to take the first step.
Following the River’s advice, she went to school and sat in the class, hoping to learn. The teacher noticed her and spoke to her father, who, with some persuasion from her mother, allowed her to attend school.
Question 3.
What is your dream? What can you do to make your dream come true?
Answer:
(This answer will vary for each student.) A student can write about their own dream, such as becoming a teacher, doctor, artist, scientist, or sportsperson. They can mention steps like working hard, learning new skills, staying determined, and seeking guidance from teachers and parents to achieve their goals.
The Day the River Spoke Class 7 Question Answer – Let us discuss (Page 3)
Question 1.
What was Jahnavi’s dream? Was it important to her? Why?
Answer:
Jahnavi’s dream was to go to school and learn to read and write, just like her elder brother Gopi (Ettan) and her friend Meena. She was curious about the world and wanted to understand things like why spiders are yellow in yellow flowers and how baby fish turn into frogs.
Yes, her dream was very important to her because she longed for knowledge and did not want to be left behind while others learned. Education was her way of exploring the world and securing a better future for herself.
Question 2.
Do you think the river can help her in fulfilling her dream? How?
Answer:
The river itself could not take Jahnavi to school, but it encouraged and inspired her to take action. By talking to her in a comforting and wise manner, the river gave her the courage to go to school and listen to the lessons.
The river reminded her that girls are just as capable as boys and motivated her to take the first step towards learning. It also gave her the confidence to face her fears and believe in herself.
Class 7 English The Day the River Spoke Question Answer – Let us discuss (Page 6)
Question 1.
Complete the table given below with Jahnavi’s questions in Column 1 and the River’s answers in Column 2. Check your answers with the teacher.
Answer:
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
| Why does the moon always come from behind the hills? | It goes down towards the sea. I’ve seen it always takes the same way—over the mountains and down to the sea, like me! |
| Can little girls do as much as little boys? | Little girls can do as much as little boys—they swim as fast as little boys. |
| What are ships? | Big boats, so big that they can take hundreds of people, and they sail along the sea with lights that shine all night. |
| Will they come here? | I’m afraid not. Too large, you know. Chandu’s catamaran is good enough for me. Chandu can take you to see a ship someday. |
The Day the River Spoke Class 7 Questions and Answers – Let us think and reflect (Pages 7-8)
I. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
Question 1.
“You shouldn’t cry, you know, ” the voice went on. “And you really shouldn’t be scared, when you have been coming here to see me every day, well, almost every day. ” She was puzzled. It was such a voice, like the river. It couldn’t be the river! “Well, tell me all about it, ” said the
River, for it was the River. ” I’ve got to hurry to reach the sea, you know. ”
(i) Complete the sentence with the correct option from those given in the brackets.
The tone of the River in the given extract is __________ (assuring/sympathising)
Answer:
The tone of the River in the given extract is assuring.
(ii) Select a phrase from the extract which shows that Jahnavi was a frequent visitor to the spot.
Answer:
The phrase is: “when you have been coming here to see me every day, well, almost every day.”
(iii) Choose the correct option to complete the sentence.
The use of an exclamation mark at the end of the line,
‘It couldn’t be the river!’ expresses __________
(a) excitement
(b) hesitation
(c) irritation
(d) disbelief
Answer:
(d) disbelief
(iv) Choose three qualities of the River highlighted in the extract from the words in the box given below.
Answer:
The three qualities of the River are: affectionate, thoughtful, kind-hearted.
Question 2.
“Can I do something?” asked Jahnavi “Well it’s up to you, ” said the River. “Seems to me little < girls can do as much as little boys — they swim
as fast as little boys. You just slip along one morning and sit there in the school and listen to what’s going on, and maybe the teacher will let you stay. ”
“I couldn’t,” gasped Jahnavi. “I couldn’t! They’d scare me! They’d chase me out. ”
(i) Complete the sentence with an appropriate reason.
According to the River, there was no difference between girls and boys because __________
Answer:
They could swim as fast as boys and were equally capable of achieving things.
(ii) Identify whether the following statement is true or false.
The River encourages Jahnavi to have faith in herself and fulfill her desire to go to school.
Answer:
True
(iii) Choose the correct option to complete the sentence.
When the River suggests that Jahnavi should ‘slip along’, it means that she should move
(a) quickly
(b) casually
(c) quietly
(d) confidently
Answer:
(c) quietly
(iv) What does the repetition of the phrase I couldn’t, tell us?
Answer:
The repetition of the phrase “I couldn’t” shows Jahnavi’s fear, hesitation, and lack of confidence in herself. It emphasizes her belief that she might not be accepted in school and that others might chase her away.
II. Answer the following questions.
Question 1.
Why does the writer describe different aspects of nature in great detail at the beginning of the story? Why do you think the writer does this?
Answer:
The writer describes different aspects of nature in great detail to create a vivid and immersive setting for the reader. This helps in establishing a strong connection between the character and her surroundings. It also highlights the importance of nature in the stoiy, as the River plays a significant role in inspiring and guiding Jahnavi.
Question 2.
How did the River know so much about Jahnavi?
Answer:
The River knew so much about Jahnavi because she visited it almost every day and often spoke her thoughts aloud while being near it. The River, being a symbolic and personified character, had been listening to her dreams, worries, and desires over time.
Question 3.
Jahnavi says, “And I’m so old now,, they’ll never let me go.” What can you infer about Jahnavi and the school from this line?
Answer:
From this line, we can infer that Jahnavi had wanted to go to school for a long time but was unable to do so due to social or personal barriers. It also suggests that the school primarily accepts younger children, making Jahnavi feel that she has missed her chance to receive an education.
Question 4.
Why did the River laugh when Jahnavi said she would be scared at school?
Answer:
The River laughed because it knew that Jahnavi was stronger and braver than she believed. It wanted to encourage her and make her realize that there was nothing to fear. The River also understood that fear was only in her mind, and once she took the step, she would gain confidence.
Question 5.
Why should Jahnavi follow the River’s advice?
Answer:
Jahnavi should follow the River’s advice because it encourages her to take a step towards achieving her dream of getting an education. The River’s words reassure her that she is just as capable as boys and that she can overcome her fears if she believes in herself.
Question 6.
How does the conversation between Jahnavi and the River make the story more appealing?
Answer:
The conversation between Jahnavi and the River makes the story more engaging by adding a magical and imaginative element. The River acts as a wise and comforting mentor, guiding Jahnavi toward self-realization. This interaction adds depth to the story and makes it more inspiring.
Question 7.
What is the main message that the writer intends to convey? ,
Answer:
The main message of the story is the importance of self-belief and perseverance in achieving one’s dreams. It emphasizes that gender should not be a barrier to education and that opportunities should be available to everyone, regardless of age or social norms.
The Day the River Spoke Question Answer Class 7 – Let us learn (Pages 8-9)
I. You have learnt that naming words are called nouns and only proper nouns begin with a capital letter. Why has the author used a capital letter for the ‘River’ even when it is a common noun? (Clue: Has the River been given qualities of a human being? )
Answer:
The author has used a capital letter for ‘River’ because it has been personified and given human-like qualities. In the story, the River speaks, thinks, and advises Jahnavi, making it more than just a natural body of water. By capitalizing ’River,’ the author emphasizes its importance as a character in the story.
II. There are a few words related to sound in the text. Pick the words from the text and write them next to the correct definition.
1. made a high-pitched piercing sound
2. to cause liquid to strike or fall on something
3. a low continuous background noise
4. cry with loud uncontrollable gasps
5. to make a soft diy sound, like paper or leaves . moving
6. took a short quick breath through the mouth due to surprise, pain or shock
7. shaking rapidly to make continuous short, sharp sounds
8. making a lot of noise
9. made a long, high cry, usually because of pain or sadness
Answer:
1. Screeched
2. Splashed
3. Murmur
4. Sobbed
5. Rustled
6. Gasped
7. Rattling
8. Clamouring
9. Wailed
Now, fill in the blanks with suitable sound words from exercise (II).
The classroom grew (i) _______ as the students noticed the teacher carrying the answer papers. As the teacher turned the pages with a (ii) _______, the children (iii) _______, wondering what comments awaited. Someone (iv) _______ in frustration, and the (v) _______of the students steadily increased. Finally, when the teacher praised the students for their excellent performance, the students (vi) _______ with excitement.
Answer:
(i) clamorous
(ii) rustle
(iii) murmured
(iv) screeched
(v) murmuring
(vi) wailed.
III The word ‘catamaran’ is used in the text. The word originates from Tamil
language ‘kattu maram’ meaning ‘tied wood’.
Find out the meanings of these words. From which Indian language these words were borrowed. An example has been given.
1. karma (Sanskrit)
2. sahib
3. chutney
4. guru
5. verandah
6. jungle
7. areca
8. palanquin
Answer:
1. Karma (Sanskrit) – The concept of actions influencing future outcomes.
2. Sahib (Urdu/Hindi) – A respectful term for a man, especially used during the British colonial era.
3. Chutney (Hindi) – A spicy condiment made of fruits, vegetables, or herbs.
4. Guru (Sanskrit) – A teacher or spiritual guide.
5. Verandah (Hindi) – A roofed, open-air porch attached to a house.
6. Jungle (Hindi) – A dense forest.
7. Areca (Malayalam) – A type of palm tree whose nuts are commonly chewed in parts of Asia.
8. Palanquin (English) – A covered litter for carrying people, often used in traditional Indian ceremonies.
IV. Chandu, the fisherman, has a catamaran that the River preferred to a ship. Given below are some boats that are used in different parts of our country;
(i) Which one would you like to travel in?
(ii) Make a colourful drawing of a boat that you would like to travel in.
Answer:
(i) I would like to travel in a shikara because it is a beautifully decorated wooden boat used in the lakes of Kashmir. It has a comfortable seating arrangement and offers a peaceful and scenic ride on the water.
(ii) Do it yourself.
V. Solve the crossword puzzle based on words
Across
1. a large vessel used for transporting goods or passengers by sea
2. a small vessel for travelling on water, typically propelled by oars, sails, or an engine
3. a flt flating structure for travelling across water
4. a boat or ship driven by steam
Down
5. a small, light, narrow boat, pointed at both ends and moved using a paddle
6. a boat with a powerful engine which can change direction easily and is used to pull large ships into and out of port
7. a boat with sails and sometimes an engine, used for either racing or travelling for pleasure, rhymes with ‘cot’
Answer:
Across:
1. Ship
2. Boat
3. Raft.
4. Steamer
Down:
5. Canoe
6. Tugboat.
7. Yacht
VI. Read the highlighted words in the following lines from the text.
“She goes down towards the sea. I’ve seen her; she always takes the same way—over the mountains and down to the sea, like me!” Prepositions are words that indicate the relationship between nouns or pronouns and other elements in a sentence. They show direction, location, time or logical relationships between ideas. –
Now, fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions given within the brackets.
Jahnavi takes the River’s advice and goes to
school. On her first day 1 _______ (at/in/on) school, Jahnavi stood nervously 2 _______ (in/outside/above) the gate, clutching her bag close to her. The bell rang and she hurried 3. _______ (outside/through/inside) the bustling classroom. She found a seat 4 _______ (among/between/from) two friendly classmates. The teacher greeted them warmly and started the lesson 5 _______ (about/in/for) numbers. Jahnavi listened attentively, feeling extited 6 _______ (at/about/for) the new adventure ahead.
Answer:
1. at
2. outside
3. ‘inside
4. between
5. about
6. for
VII. Read the highlighted words in the following sentence from the text.
A kingfisher swept down, its wings an arrow of blue in the sunlight.
Words like on, off, up, down can function both as preposition and as adverb.
For example:
- She ran up the stairs, (preposition)
- She rang me up. (adverb)
Remember, a preposition will always be followed by an object (noun) whereas an adverb will tell you more about the action (verb).
Fill in the blanks with prepositions or adverbs.
1. The cat jumped _______ the table. (preposition)
2. The children played _______ until dark. (adverb)
3. She quickly ran _______ the park, (preposition)
4. The helicopter _______ was hovering (adverb)
5. We were just walking _______, chatting. (adverb)
6. After thoroughly wiping his shoes, he stepped _______ (adverb)
7. She drove slowly _______ the sharp curve. (preposition)
8. He placed the keys _______ the mat before leaving, (preposition)
Answer:
1. on
2. outside
3. through
4. above
5. along
6. inside
7. around
8. on
Class 7 English Chapter 1 Question Answer – Let us listen (Page 12)
I. Read the words given in the box below. You will listen to five people speak about school life. As you listen, circle the words that are used by the speakers. There are two words you do not need. (Refer to the NCERT textbook page-39 for transcript)
Answer:
Careers
books
homemaker
principle
Answer:
| Statements | Speaker No. |
| 1. Promotes active participation for all in school activities – (Principal). | v |
| 2. Comments on how school makes learning Mathematics joyful. | No speaker |
| 3. Believes in the power of education that leads to freedom of choice – (Father) | i |
| 4. Shares that school also means companionship – (Student). | iv |
| 5. Understands that boys and girls have different abilities. | No speaker |
| 6. Persuades the parent to grant permission to attend school – (Grandmother) | ii |
NCERT Class 7 English Poorvi Chapter 1 Question Answer – Let us speak (Page 13)
I. Read the sentence given below.
“Dear, dear! What’s the matter? … You shouldn’t cry, you know. And you really shouldn’t be scared, when you have been coming here to see me every day, well, almost every day. ”
The River spoke to Jahnavi in a ’sleepy’ voice. Work in pairs and take turns to speak the same sentence in ’other’ voices. Some hints are given below.
Answer:
Do it yourself.
II. Jahnavi asks the River for advice and the River gives advice. Read the given situations and work in pairs to ask for and give advice. Take turns to change your roles. Use tfie prompts given below.
1. Situation (i) : You wish to play football at school but it has an all-boys’ team only.
2. Situation (ii) : You have been unable to score well in Mathematics due to nervousness during exams.
3. Situation (iii) : You really enjoy music classes but do not get enough time to practise for it.
Answer:
Do it yourself.
Class 7th English Chapter 1 The Day the River Spoke Question Answer – Let us write (Page 14)
Observing Nature
Take some time to observe the world around you. Over the next few days, pay attention to the colours, shapes, patterns, and textures found in nature. Look closely at the plants, trees, flwers, birds, and even the sky. Make detailed notes of what you observe, focusing on textures, movements, and how light plays with these elements. Record your observations in detail and the features that draw your attention the most—whether it’s the soft ripple of water, the vibrant fltter of a butterfl or the colour of the birds or flwers.
Now, write a descriptive paragraph based on what you’ve observed. Highlight the colours, shapes, textures, and unique details that made an impression on you. Give a title to your paragraph.
Answer:
OBSERVING NATURE
Everyday I see the world around me, I find it very interesting because it is full of colours, shapes, and textures that make nature feel alive. The bright blue sky stretches wide, dotted with fluffy white clouds that look as soft as cotton. Tall trees stand proudly, their rough brown trunks covered in tiny cracks and patterns, while their green leaves dance in the gentle breeze. A small yellow butterfly flutters from flower to flower, its wings moving so quickly that they seem like a blur. The flowers in the garden bloom in shades of red, pink, and purple, their petals smooth and delicate, some shaped like tiny trumpets and others like bright stars. A little bird with shiny blue feathers hops along a branch, chirping a sweet song. Nearby, a pond glistens in the sunlight, its surface rippling as a dragonfly skims across the water. The soft scent of fresh grass and blooming roses fills the air, making everything feel peaceful and beautiful. My advice to all is that you should observe the wonderful sights, sounds, and textures of nature and make each day a special day for you.
The Day the River Spoke Class 7 NCERT Solutions – Let us explore (Pages 14-15)
I. Discuss why rivers in India are considered to be sacred and most of them are referred to as female. Some rivers are referred to as male, for example, the Brahmaputra and the Sone.
Answer:
Rivers in India are considered sacred because they are seen as life-giving sources that sustain agriculture, provide drinking water, and support civilizations. Many rivers are personified as goddesses, such as the Ganga, Yamuna, and Godavari, and are believed to purify sins and grant blessings. They are referred to as female because of their nurturing nature, much like a mother who nourishes her children. However, some rivers like the Brahmaputra and Sone are considered male, possibly due to cultural, historical, or geographical reasons linked to their forceful currents or mythological associations.
II. Whole Class Activity
Question 1.
India is a multilingual country, and many of us can speak two to three languages easily. Make a list of the languages that everyone in the class can speak and display it on a chart paper in the classroom.
Answer:
List of languages spoken in the class:
Each student can contribute the languages they know, and the compiled list can be displayed on a chart paper in the classroom.
Question 2.
In which language do you enjoy reading and learning the most? ‘
Answer:
Students may express their choice based on comfort, fluency, or cultural background.
III. Read the poster given below and answer the questions that follow:
Question 1.
What are the things you can observe in the poster?
Answer:
The poster highlights the importance of daughters in a nation. It includes images of happy girls who are studying, symbols of education, equality, or empowerment.
Question 2.
Why do think the girls look happy?
Answer:
The girls appear happy because they are treated with dignity, given equal opportunities, and can pursue education and dreams without discrimination.
Question 3.
Dignity means self-respect. What is the relation between dignity and happiness?
Answer:
Dignity (self-respect) ensures that individuals feel valued and respected. When girls have dignity, they feel empowered, safe, and confident, leading to happiness.
Question 4.
How does a nation prosper when its daughters are happy?
Answer:
A nation prospers when both girls and boys are equally educated and respected because they both contribute to society, the economy, and family well-being. Empowered women lead to stronger communities and national growth.
IV. The Government has launched many schemes for the education of the girl child. Some of them are ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’, ‘Balika Samridhi Vojana’, ‘Samagra Shiksha Scheme-Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas’, etc.
Find out more such schemes from the internet or from your teacher and spread awareness in your neighbourhood.
Answer:
Do it yourself.