Class 7 English Chapter 9 A Tiger in the House NCERT Solutions

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

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 7 PDF

CBSE Class 7 English, "A Tiger in the House," recounts the fascinating story of Timothy, a tiger cub adopted by the narrator's grandfather. This chapter explores the unusual bond that develops between the cub and his human family, particularly the grandfather, who raises Timothy from a young age. We learn about Timothy's playful antics, his gradual growth, and the challenges that arise as he becomes too large to remain a pet. The narrative highlights the grandfather's affection and resourcefulness in managing the cub, even as he grows into a formidable tiger. Eventually, circumstances necessitate Timothy's move to the zoo, a poignant moment that underscores the complexities of coexisting with wild animals. These NCERT solutions offer a detailed analysis of the story, helping students grasp the characters' emotions, the plot's progression, and the underlying themes of nature versus nurture and the human-animal relationship.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 7
Subject	An Alien Hand
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	9. A Tiger in the House

Chapter summary

Chapter 9, "A Tiger in the House," focuses on the life of a tiger cub, Timothy, and his unusual bond with his grandfather. The NCERT Solutions for this chapter break down the narrative, explaining Timothy's early days as a pet, his playful antics, and the eventual decision to send him to the zoo. The solutions clarify the meaning of phrases and help students complete sentences, ensuring a thorough understanding of the story's progression and the characters' roles.

Learning outcomes

Understand the narrative of 'A Tiger in the House'.
Interpret the meaning of idiomatic phrases within the story.
Identify and explain the key events in Timothy's life.
Analyze the relationship between Timothy, his grandfather, and other characters.
Complete sentences based on the context of the chapter.
Determine the truthfulness of statements about the story's events.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Understanding narrative details
Interpreting idiomatic expressions
Character analysis (Grandfather, Timothy)
Plot progression
Sentence completion exercises
True/False statements
Animal behavior
Human-animal relationships

Important topics

Interpreting phrases like 'bagged any game' and 'change came over him'.
Understanding Grandmother's prophecy.
Analyzing Timothy's behavioral changes.
The circumstances of Timothy's move to the zoo.
The significance of the leopard's actions.

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Questions and Solutions

Comprehension Check - Q1

"He had the distinction of being the only member of the party to have bagged any game..."

The phrase in italics means:

(i) Grandfather was the most distinguished member of the party.

(ii) Grandfather was the only sportsperson in the party.

(iii) Grandfather was the only successful member of the hunting party.

Solution: The phrase "bagged any game" specifically refers to successfully hunting or catching prey. Therefore, the italicized phrase means that Grandfather was the only person in the hunting party who managed to catch any game, highlighting his success in that particular activity.

Comprehension Check - Q2

Complete the following sentences.

(i) Toto climbed up the curtains when ______

(ii) ______ I became one of the tiger's favourites.

(iii) Timothy had clean habits, ______

Solution: Here are the completed sentences based on the chapter:

Toto climbed up the curtains when Timothy lost its temper because Toto had pulled it by the tail.
One of Timothy's favourite amusements was to stalk anyone who would play with him, and so, when I came to live with Grandfather, I became one of the tiger's favourites.
Timothy had clean habits, and would scrub his face with his paws exactly like a cat.

Comprehension Check - Q3

Grandmother's prophecy was that the tiger

(i) would prefer Mahmoud's bed to sleep in.

(ii) and the cook would disappear together from the house.

(iii) would one day make a meal of Mahmoud.

Solution: Grandmother expressed a strong concern and belief that the tiger, Timothy, posed a danger to the cook, Mahmoud. Her prophecy was that Timothy would one day harm or consume Mahmoud.

Comprehension Check - Q4

When Timothy was about six months old, a change came over him. The phrase in italics means that

(i) Timothy had grown to his full size.

(ii) Timothy grew more friendly.

(iii) Timothy grew less friendly, in fact more dangerous.

Solution: The phrase "a change came over him" in this context signifies a shift in Timothy's temperament. It indicates that he became less friendly and more dangerous as he matured, moving away from his earlier docile behavior.

Comprehension Check - Q5

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

(i) Timothy and Grandfather went to Lucknow in a special compartment.

(ii) The compartment in which Grandfather and Timothy travelled had no other passenger.

(iii) Timothy and Grandfather travelled in a first class compartment.

(iv) All passengers in the compartment thought that Timothy was a well-fed and civilised tiger.

Solution: Let's evaluate each statement:

False. They travelled in a first-class compartment, but it was not described as a special compartment arranged for them.
True. The text mentions that the compartment had no other passengers besides Grandfather and Timothy.
True. They were indeed travelling in a first-class compartment.
False. It was the zoo authorities, not the passengers, who later commented that Timothy was a well-fed and civilised tiger.

Comprehension Check - Q6

Grandfather suggested that Timothy should be put in another cage. The reason was that

(i) the tiger had become very bad tempered.

(ii) a leopard in the next cage would constantly rush at Timothy.

(iii) the cage was too small for a full grown tiger.

Solution: Grandfather suggested moving Timothy to another cage primarily because of the distress caused by another animal. A leopard housed in the adjacent cage would persistently rush towards Timothy, agitating him.

Comprehension Check - Q7

The tiger was still licking his arm, with increasing relish. The phrase in italics suggests that Timothy

(i) was good natured.

(ii) recognised an old friend.

(iii) smelt fresh food.

Solution: The phrase "licking his arm, with increasing relish" suggests a sense of familiarity and positive recognition. It implies that Timothy was not acting aggressively but was responding to someone he knew and felt comfortable with, indicating he recognised an old friend.

Common mistakes

Misinterpreting idiomatic phrases.
Confusing the sequence of events.
Incorrectly identifying the reasons behind characters' actions.
Struggling to differentiate between true and false statements based on the text.

Revision tips

Read the chapter carefully to grasp the storyline.
Pay close attention to the meaning of italicized phrases.
Practice completing the sentences to reinforce understanding of plot points.
Use the True/False questions to test recall of key details.
Discuss the grandfather's role and decisions regarding Timothy.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What does the phrase "bagged any game" imply about Grandfather?

Q2. Why did Toto climb the curtains?

Q3. What was Grandmother's specific prophecy about the tiger?

Q4. What change occurred in Timothy when he was about six months old?

Q5. Which statement about Timothy and Grandfather's travel is FALSE?

Q6. Why did Grandfather suggest moving Timothy to another cage?

Q7. What did Timothy's continued licking of the arm suggest?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of 'A Tiger in the House'?

The main theme revolves around the unusual relationship between a tiger cub, Timothy, and his grandfather, exploring themes of domestication, wild instincts, and the complexities of human-animal interaction.

Who are the main characters in Chapter 9?

The main characters are Timothy (the tiger cub), his Grandfather (who raises Timothy), Grandmother, and Mahmoud (the cook).

Why is understanding the italicized phrases important in this chapter?

Understanding the italicized phrases is crucial as they often convey deeper meanings or specific contexts that are key to comprehending the narrative and answering comprehension questions accurately.

How do these NCERT Solutions help with exam preparation?

These solutions provide clear, rewritten answers to all questions, helping students grasp the chapter's content, understand character motivations, and practice answering different question formats, which is beneficial for exam revision.

What does the story suggest about keeping wild animals as pets?

The story subtly suggests that while wild animals can form bonds, their natural instincts eventually emerge, making it difficult and potentially dangerous to keep them as pets, especially as they grow.

What was the significance of Timothy licking the arm?

Timothy licking the arm with relish indicated recognition of an old friend, suggesting a positive past association rather than aggression or hunger.

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