The Tunnel
Complete textbook exercise solutions — NCERT Poorvi, Class 7 English (CBSE).
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Let us discuss (Part I)
- “snorting and puffing like some green, black, and gold dragon”
- “some beautiful monster out of Suraj’s dreams”
- “it roared a challenge to the jungle”
he heard the shrill whistle of the engine and then a sound like distant thunder from the tunnel.
The tunnel was dark and full of smoke. Its walls were damp and sticky. A bat flew past him and a lizard scuttled between the lines.
He says that he has lent it to the Government.
- (i) Day
- (ii) No danger found → Goes to take a nap
- Danger found → (iv) Walks back up the line and waves a red flag
- Night → No danger found → (v) Hangs his lamp at the door of his hut and goes to sleep
- Night → (iii) Danger found → Waves his lamp to warn the locomotive driver
Let us discuss (Part II)
he heard a rhythmic sawing sound, like someone cutting through a branch. He had also heard a padded footfall and a rustle of dry leaves.
(i) He was afraid of the leopard.
Suraj and Sunder Singh shouted together and their voices rang through the tunnel. The leopard was not sure how many people were there. So, it turned and ran away.
As the train neared the tunnel, Suraj saw the watchman’s lamp. So, he knew his friend was out there.
His father felt that Suraj wandered off most of the time. He thought it was time for Suraj to learn something about his business.
Let us think and reflect
(i) Suraj looked back at the opening of the tunnel to check if the train was coming. (True/False)
False — he looked back to reassure himself that there was still daylight outside.
(ii) Suraj did not stop anywhere in the tunnel because ______.
A. there was nothing to see in the tunnel
(iii) What does the sentence ‘Till then, the cutting belonged to the jungle again’ mean?
No train would pass for several hours. So, the cutting became quiet, and the animals and birds of the jungle could use it freely again.
(iv) Suraj wanted to know the inside of the tunnel. What character trait of Suraj is highlighted here?
His curiosity and love for adventure.
(i) What was the watchman’s concern?
He was worried that the leopard would be run over and killed by the train.
(ii) Sunder Singh was sure that the leopard would not attack him and Suraj because ______.
the leopard knew him well. They had seen each other many times.
(iii) Select the sentences that are true.
B C D
B. Suraj is concerned about Sunder Singh’s safety.
C. The leopard in the tunnel attacks goats and stray dogs.
D. Sunder Singh wants to protect Suraj.
(iv) Sunder Singh decides to take his axe with him. This tells us that he was ______.
B. cautious
1. What does Sunder Singh convey by saying that he has lent his tunnel to the Government?
He says it in a funny way. No one else cares for the tunnel, so he feels it is truly his. He looks after it with love. The Government only uses it.
2. According to Sunder Singh, “It is safer in the forest than in the town”. What example does he give? What does this tell us about him?
He says nothing happens to him in the jungle, but last month in the town he was almost run over by a bus. This shows that he loves the jungle and feels at home there. It also shows his sense of humour.
3. Sunder Singh has become part of the jungle life. Support the view with a suitable reason.
He knows the sounds of the jungle well. He calls the leopard “my leopard”, and the leopard knows him too. He lives happily and fearlessly among the animals.
4. Sunder Singh and Suraj form an unlikely friendship. What draws them together?
Both of them love the jungle, the tunnel and the trains. Sunder Singh lives alone and is happy to have a visitor. Suraj is curious and enjoys his stories. Their adventure with the leopard brings them closer.
5. Why is Sunder Singh referred to as a ‘firefly’?
A firefly gives a small light in the dark. Similarly, Sunder Singh’s lamp lights up the dark tunnel. It keeps the trains, the passengers and even the leopards safe.
6. Do you think Suraj is an adventure-loving boy? Give reasons.
Yes, he is. He cycled alone into the jungle to watch the train. He walked through the dark tunnel. He came back at night and went into the tunnel with Sunder Singh to drive the leopard out.
Let us learn
- We could hear the approaching engine of the train long before it came into view at the station.
- The street was completely dark but the little boy walked to his house guided by the flickering lights from the houses.
- The sawing sound from the carpenter’s workshop grew louder every hour.
- From the balcony, she watched the drifting smoke from her neighbour’s chimney float across the backyard.
- creaking – (ii)
- chatter – (iii)
- hissing – (i)
- rustle – (v)
- puffing – (iv)
Fill in the blanks:
- The steam engine reached the station puffing black smoke into the sky.
- Suddenly the snake raised its hood and made a hissing noise.
- When the wind blew, I heard the creaking of the wooden roof.
- He heard a rustle of leaves behind him when he was walking in the woods.
- I get disturbed by the continuous chatter of the monkeys in the neighbourhood.
(iii) to talk about a habit in the past
When I was a child we used to live in a village near a forest. Back then, we (i) used to grow vegetables in our back garden. Every day we (ii) would get up early and go for a walk. The weather in summer (iii) used to be really nice. There was a lake near the house and we (iv) would go there every Sunday for a picnic. Winters (v) used to be rather cold. In the evenings, my father (vi) would tell us incredible stories and we (vii) would listen with admiration.
With state verbs like ‘be’, we use ‘used to’, not ‘would’.
We explored the busy by-lanes of Charminar, the heart of Hyderabad; it was an exciting day. We wanted to do a few things: buy bangles, taste biryani, and purchase pearl earrings, which are special to this area. As we walked through the lanes, we saw stalls selling spices, clothes, and jewellery; the market was full of colours. We visited some famous spots: Charminar, Golconda Fort, Salar Jung Museum, and Chowmahalla Palace; each place was beautiful.
Let us listen
- 1. Library (to the right of the Entrance Hall)
- 2. Art Gallery (straight from the Entrance Hall)
- 3. Weapons Room (third door on the right of the Art Gallery)
- 4. Musical Instruments Hall (left turn from the Weapons Room)
- 5. Auditorium (second room to the left) — the treasure is hidden here
Let us speak
This is a pair role-play activity. Students should give directions by looking at the map in the textbook, using phrases like ‘turn left’, ‘keep going straight till…’ and ‘next to’.
Let us write
My Train Journey to Goa
Last summer, I travelled from Mumbai to Goa by the Konkan Kanya Express. The platform was crowded and noisy. We found our seats by the window, and I felt very excited. Soon the whistle blew and the train began to move. The wheels made a steady clickety-clack on the tracks. Vendors called out, “Chai, chai!” and children laughed in the next compartment. Outside, green hills, rivers and paddy fields rushed past. The train went through many dark tunnels and over high bridges. A cool breeze blew through the window. I felt relaxed and happy. It was a journey I will never forget.
Let us explore
These are reading and research activities. Students should read about the Atal Tunnel and Indian Railways and share what they find.