CBSE Class 7 English: The Cop and the Anthem NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 7 PDF

This chapter, 'The Cop and the Anthem,' from the CBSE Class 7 English curriculum, delves into the story of Soapy, a homeless man who desperately seeks to be sent to prison to escape the harsh winter. The NCERT Solutions provide a detailed breakdown of Soapy's various attempts to get arrested, from dining and dashing to feigning drunkenness and breaking windows. The solutions also explore the pivotal moment of Soapy's transformation, triggered by the sound of an anthem and the sight of his old home, which awakens his desire for a better life. These solutions offer clear explanations of the text, helping students understand the narrative, character motivations, and the underlying themes of hope and redemption. They are an excellent resource for exam preparation, enabling students to grasp the nuances of the story and answer questions effectively.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 7
Subject	An Alien Hand
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	4. The Cop and the Anthem

Chapter summary

Chapter 4, 'The Cop and the Anthem,' focuses on Soapy's attempts to get arrested to find shelter in prison during winter. The NCERT Solutions cover his failed schemes, the reasons they didn't work, and his eventual change of heart. The solutions analyze the narrative, highlighting the irony of Soapy's situation and his profound internal transformation. This chapter's exercises help students understand character development and thematic elements.

Learning outcomes

Understand the signs of approaching winter as described in the text.
Analyze Soapy's motivations for wanting to go to prison.
Evaluate the effectiveness of Soapy's different plans to get arrested.
Explain the reasons behind the cop's actions and inactions.
Identify the turning point in Soapy's life and the factors that caused it.
Discuss the theme of transformation and redemption in the story.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Signs of winter
Soapy's desire for prison
Soapy's arrest attempts
Restaurant plan
Window breaking plan
Shouting plan
Umbrella theft
Soapy's transformation
The role of the anthem
Themes of hope and redemption
Character analysis of Soapy
Irony in the story

Important topics

Soapy's motivations for seeking prison
Analysis of Soapy's failed plans
The turning point of Soapy's transformation
The significance of the anthem and old home
Themes of hope and redemption

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Questions and Solutions

Q1

What are some of the signs of approaching winter referred to in the text?

Solution: The text mentions several indicators that suggest winter is drawing near. These include observing that birds have started their journey to warmer regions by flying south, people begin to feel the need for new, warm coats to protect themselves from the cold, and the natural phenomenon of dead leaves detaching from trees and falling to the ground.

Q2

Write 'True' or 'False' against each of the following statements:

Soapy did not want to go to prison.
Soapy had been to prison several times.
It was not possible for Soapy to survive in the city through the winter.
Soapy hated to answer questions of a personal nature.

Solution:

False. Soapy actually desired to go to prison as a means to escape the harsh winter and find shelter.
True. The text implies that Soapy was a repeat offender, having been to prison multiple times before.
False. While life was difficult, the text suggests that there were places in the city where Soapy could seek food and a bed, indicating survival was possible, albeit challenging.
True. Soapy disliked being questioned about personal matters, as evidenced by his reactions when confronted.

Q3

What was Soapy's first plan? Why did it not work?

Solution: Soapy's initial strategy was to indulge in a luxurious dinner at an upscale restaurant. After enjoying the meal, his intention was to declare that he had no money to pay the bill. He anticipated that this would lead to his arrest by the police, and subsequently, a judge would handle the rest, likely sentencing him to prison. However, this plan failed because as soon as Soapy entered the restaurant, the head waiter noticed his disheveled appearance, specifically his worn-out shoes and torn clothing. This observation led the waiter to immediately escort Soapy out of the establishment, preventing him from even ordering a meal, let alone executing his plan.

Q4

"But the cop's mind would not consider Soapy". What did the cop not consider, and why?

Solution: The police officer did not consider the possibility that Soapy might have broken the shop window. The reason for this was the cop's understanding of criminal behavior. He believed that individuals who commit such acts, like breaking a window, would typically flee the scene immediately to avoid being caught. Since Soapy was standing calmly near the broken window, the officer did not suspect him. Instead, the cop's attention was drawn to another man running further down the street, whom he then pursued, assuming him to be the actual culprit.

Q5

"We have orders to let them shout". What is the policeman referring to?

Solution: The policeman was referring to a group of college students who were behaving rowdily. When Soapy started shouting loudly, as if he were intoxicated, the policeman turned away and explained to a bystander that the person shouting was merely one of the college boys. He indicated that the police had instructions to ignore such behavior from these students, implying they were not to be apprehended for making noise.

Q6

Write 'True' or 'False' against each of the following statements:

Soapy stole a man's umbrella.
The owner of the umbrella offered to give it to Soapy.
The man had stolen the umbrella that was now Soapy's.
Soapy threw away the umbrella.

Solution:

True. Soapy took the umbrella, which constituted theft.
False. The owner of the umbrella did not offer it to Soapy. Instead, he confronted Soapy, claimed the umbrella, and then, upon seeing a police officer, stated he had found it. He implied Soapy could take it if it belonged to him, but he didn't freely give it.
True. The man who claimed the umbrella admitted he had found it, suggesting it was not originally his, and Soapy had effectively taken possession of it.
True. After realizing his plan to get arrested by taking the umbrella had failed, Soapy discarded it.

Q7

"There was a sudden and wonderful change in his soul". What brought about the change in Soapy?

Solution: The profound change in Soapy's soul was initiated when he found himself near his old home. As he stood there, he heard a familiar song emanating from a room, which evoked strong memories of his past. He recalled a time when his life was filled with positive elements such as his mother's presence, the beauty of flowers, high aspirations, friendships, pure thoughts, and clean attire. This nostalgic recollection, coupled with the realization of how far he had fallen, filled him with a sense of dread. He became acutely aware of his wasted days, misguided desires, extinguished hopes, and the degradation of his mental faculties, leading to a significant and positive shift in his inner self.

Discuss The Following Topics In Groups Q1

Suppose no cop came at the end. What would Soapy's life be like through the winter?

Solution: If no police officer had intervened at the end of the story, it is plausible that Soapy might have genuinely decided to abandon his destructive lifestyle. This decision would likely stem from the powerful emotional experience of revisiting his old home and reminiscing about his childhood. He might have then actively sought out the person whose umbrella he had taken, intending to return it and perhaps seek forgiveness or make amends. Consequently, he might have begun looking for legitimate ways to earn a living and find shelter, embracing the chance for a better life that the anthem and the memory of his past had inspired in him.

Common mistakes

Confusing Soapy's true desire with his outward actions.
Misinterpreting the cop's reactions to Soapy's behavior.
Failing to recognize the significance of the anthem and the old home in Soapy's change.
Overlooking the subtle details that explain why Soapy's plans failed.

Revision tips

Reread the story, paying close attention to Soapy's thoughts and feelings.
List Soapy's attempts to get arrested and the specific reasons each failed.
Identify the exact moment and cause of Soapy's 'sudden and wonderful change'.
Discuss the irony present in the story, such as Soapy's desire for prison.
Summarize the story in your own words, focusing on the theme of redemption.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What signs of approaching winter are mentioned in the text?

Q2. Why did Soapy want to go to prison?

Q3. What was Soapy's first plan to get arrested?

Q4. Why did Soapy's first plan fail?

Q5. What caused the 'sudden and wonderful change' in Soapy's soul?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of 'The Cop and the Anthem'?

The main themes are redemption, hope, and the human desire for a better life, even when faced with difficult circumstances. It explores how a moment of realization can lead to profound change.

Why did Soapy try to get arrested instead of finding shelter?

Soapy saw prison as the only guaranteed way to get shelter, food, and warmth during the harsh winter, as he believed he couldn't survive on the streets.

How did Soapy's appearance affect his plans?

Soapy's shabby and unkempt appearance, a result of his life on the streets, often prevented his plans from working. For instance, he was denied entry into the restaurant because of his worn-out clothes and shoes.

What was the significance of the anthem for Soapy?

The anthem, heard from his old home, triggered a powerful memory of his past life, filled with positive values like 'mothers, flowers, high hopes, friends, clean thoughts, and clean clothes,' leading to his spiritual awakening.

Did Soapy eventually get arrested?

Yes, in the end, Soapy was arrested for vagrancy after his transformation, which was ironic because he was no longer trying to get arrested but had genuinely decided to change his life.

How can these NCERT Solutions help students?

These solutions provide clear, step-by-step answers to the chapter's questions, helping students understand the story's plot, character motivations, and underlying themes, which is crucial for exam preparation.

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