CBSE Class 7 English The Tiny Teacher NCERT Solutions

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

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 7 PDF

This resource provides detailed NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English, Chapter 1, "The Tiny Teacher." It delves into the fascinating social structure and daily life of ants, often referred to as "tiny teachers." The solutions explain the complex organization within an anthill, covering topics like the roles of different ants (workers, soldiers), their communication methods, and the life cycle from grub to adult. Students will understand the ant's dedication to duty, cleanliness, and community living. These solutions are designed to help students grasp the chapter's concepts thoroughly, clarify doubts, and prepare effectively for their examinations by offering step-by-step explanations and insights into the ant's remarkable world.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 7
Subject	An Alien Hand
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	1. The Tiny Teacher

Chapter summary

Chapter 1, "The Tiny Teacher," explores the intricate lives of ants, highlighting their discipline, sense of duty, and community living. This NCERT Solutions set breaks down the chapter's content, explaining the ant's life cycle, the various jobs undertaken by ants, and their methods of communication. It also touches upon other creatures found in anthills and the lessons humans can learn from these small insects.

Learning outcomes

Understand the social structure and daily life of ants.
Identify the different roles and responsibilities of ants within their colony.
Explain the life cycle of an ant, from grub to adult.
Describe how ants communicate with each other.
Recognize the lessons of discipline, duty, and cleanliness that can be learned from ants.
Identify other creatures that share the anthill habitat.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Ants as teachers
Ant life cycle (grub, cocoon, adult)
Roles in an ant colony (worker, soldier, builder, cleaner)
Ant communication (feelers)
Anthill inhabitants
Lessons from ants (duty, discipline, cleanliness, loyalty)
Ants as pets
Comparison of animal habitats

Important topics

Ants' social structure and roles
Ant communication methods
Lessons of discipline and duty from ants
Ant life cycle stages
Comparison of animal homes

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Questions and Solutions

Comprehension Check - Q1

The story of an ant's life sounds almost untrue. The italicised phrase means

highly exaggerated.
too remarkable to be true.
not based on facts.

Solution: The phrase "almost untrue" in this context suggests that the ant's life is so extraordinary and well-organized that it seems difficult to believe. Therefore, the meaning closest to this is (ii) too remarkable to be true. It implies that the facts presented are so astonishing they might seem unbelievable, rather than simply exaggerated or false.

Comprehension Check - Q2

Complete the following sentences.

(i) An ant is the smallest,—

— (ii) We know a number of facts about an ant's life because —

Solution:

(i) An ant is the smallest, the commonest and the wisest insect.

(ii) We know a number of facts about an ant's life because people have kept ants as pets and have watched their daily behaviour closely for a long time.

Comprehension Check - Q3

In what ways is an ant's life peaceful?

Solution: An ant's life is considered peaceful because each ant diligently performs its assigned tasks with intelligence and bravery. Furthermore, they maintain harmony within their colony, never engaging in fights or conflicts with other members of the group.

Comprehension Check - Q4

How long does it take for a grub to become a complete ant?

Solution: The transformation from a grub to a complete ant involves several stages. First, after about two or three weeks, the grub develops into a cocoon. Subsequently, another period of approximately three weeks passes before the cocoon breaks open, and a fully formed ant emerges.

Comprehension Check - Q5

Why do the worker ants carry the grubs about?

Solution: The worker ants carry the grubs outside their nest daily for essential activities. These include getting fresh air, engaging in exercise, and absorbing sunshine, all of which are vital for the healthy development of the young ants.

Comprehension Check - Q6

What jobs are new ants trained for?

Solution: Upon reaching maturity, new ants undergo training for various specialized roles within the colony. These roles include becoming workers, who perform daily tasks; soldiers, who defend the colony; builders, who construct and maintain the anthill; and cleaners, who keep the environment hygienic.

Comprehension Check - Q7

Name some other creatures that live in anthills.

Solution: While ants are the primary inhabitants, anthills can also be home to other creatures. These include various types of beetles, certain lesser breeds of ants that might differ from the main colony, and the greenfly, which ants sometimes 'farm' for its sugary secretions.

Comprehension Check - Q8

Mention three things we can learn from the 'tiny teacher'. Give reasons for choosing these items.

Solution: Three important lessons we can learn from the 'tiny teacher' (the ant) are:

Sense of duty and discipline: Ants work tirelessly and follow a strict order, fulfilling their roles without fail. This teaches us the importance of responsibility and order in our own lives.
Cleanliness: Ants maintain a very clean environment within their anthill, which is crucial for preventing diseases and ensuring the colony's health. This highlights the value of hygiene.
Loyalty to the land/community: Ants are deeply dedicated to their colony and the place they live. This emphasizes the virtue of commitment and belonging.

These qualities are chosen because they are fundamental to a well-functioning society and personal development, yet are often lacking in human behavior.

Exercise - Q1 (i)

What problems are you likely to face if you keep ants as pets?

Solution: Keeping ants as pets presents several unique challenges. Firstly, their extremely small size makes them difficult to house and manage; finding a suitable, secure enclosure would be a primary concern. Secondly, it would be challenging to monitor their activities and ensure they are receiving proper care. Lastly, ants can bite when they feel threatened or disturbed, which could be an unpleasant experience for a pet owner.

Exercise - Q1 (ii)

When a group of bees finds nectar, it informs other bees of its location, quantity, etc. through dancing. Can you guess what ants communicate to their fellow ants by touching one another's feelers?

Solution: When ants touch each other's feelers, they are engaging in a form of communication. Based on the context of ants' social behavior, they likely communicate vital information about food sources. This includes the location of the food, its quality or quantity, and possibly warnings about dangers or directions to navigate back to the nest.

Exercise - Q2

Complete the following poem with words from the box below. Then recite the poem.

Soldiers live in barracks

And birds in ————,

Much like a snake that rests

In a ————.

No horse is able

To sleep except in a ———— —.

And a dog life well,

Mind you, only in a ————.

To say 'hi' to an ant, if you will,

You may have to climb an ————.

Words: hole, kennel, nests, anthill, stable

Solution: Here is the completed poem with the words filled in:

Soldiers live in barracks And birds in nests, Much like a snake that rests In a hole. No horse is able To sleep except in a stable. And a dog lives well, Mind you, only in a kennel. To say 'hi' to an ant, if you will, You may have to climb an anthill.

This poem highlights the different types of homes or habitats where various creatures live, comparing them to the dwelling place of an ant.

Common mistakes

Misinterpreting phrases like 'too remarkable to be true'.
Confusing the stages of an ant's life cycle.
Not fully understanding the communication methods of ants.
Overlooking the lessons of discipline and duty from the ant's perspective.

Revision tips

Focus on understanding the ant's life cycle and the roles of different ants.
Pay attention to the ant's communication methods, especially the role of feelers.
Reflect on the 'lessons' the chapter suggests humans can learn from ants.
Review the vocabulary used to describe the ant's life and habitat.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What does the phrase 'too remarkable to be true' mean in the context of an ant's life?

Q2. According to the text, what are some key characteristics of an ant?

Q3. How do worker ants contribute to the well-being of the grubs?

Q4. What is the primary function of ants touching each other's feelers?

Q5. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a job for new ants?

Q6. What lessons does the chapter suggest humans can learn from ants?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of Chapter 1, 'The Tiny Teacher'?

The main theme of Chapter 1 is to highlight the remarkable social structure, discipline, and industriousness of ants, presenting them as 'tiny teachers' from whom humans can learn valuable lessons.

What are the different stages in an ant's life cycle as described in the chapter?

The chapter describes the ant's life cycle starting from a grub, which develops into a cocoon after a few weeks. After another few weeks, the cocoon breaks open to reveal a complete ant.

How do ants communicate with each other?

Ants communicate with each other primarily by touching their feelers. This allows them to share information, such as the location and quantity of food.

What are some potential problems if one were to keep ants as pets?

Keeping ants as pets could be problematic due to their tiny size, making them difficult to track, and their tendency to bite when disturbed.

What qualities do the ants exhibit that humans could learn from?

The chapter suggests humans can learn a strong sense of duty and discipline, cleanliness, and loyalty to their community from ants.

Besides ants, what other creatures might live in an anthill?

Other creatures that may live in anthills include beetles, certain lesser breeds of ants, and the greenfly.

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