CBSE Class 7 English An Alien Hand Chapter 1: The Tiny Teacher NCERT Solutions

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 7 PDF

CBSE Class 7 English An Alien Hand Chapter 1, 'The Tiny Teacher,' introduces us to the remarkable world of ants. This chapter reveals their highly organized society, their tireless work ethic, and their communal way of life. Through engaging content, students will explore the daily activities of ants, their transformation from grubs to adults, and the different jobs within an anthill. The solutions break down the chapter's key concepts, explaining difficult terms and helping to complete sentences. They also highlight the valuable lessons humans can take away from ants, emphasizing the significance of diligence, discipline, and teamwork. These resources are crafted to ensure a deep understanding of the chapter, assisting students in clarifying complex points and developing well-structured answers for their academic success.

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Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 7
SubjectEnglish An Alien Hand
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 1

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English (An Alien Hand) Chapter 1, 'The Tiny Teacher', focuses on the social structure and daily life of ants. It covers comprehension questions about the ant's life, its role as a 'tiny teacher', and the lessons it imparts to humans. The solutions explain the ant's life cycle, its jobs, and its peaceful coexistence within the anthill, offering insights into cooperation and hard work.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the social structure and daily life of ants.
  • Explain the life cycle of an ant from grub to adult.
  • Identify the different roles and jobs performed by ants.
  • Interpret the meaning of phrases related to ant behavior.
  • Analyze the lessons humans can learn from ants, such as hard work and cooperation.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Ants as teachers
  • Ant life cycle
  • Roles in an anthill
  • Cooperation and hard work
  • Social behavior of insects
  • Comprehension skills
  • Vocabulary building
  • Life lessons from nature

Important topics

  • The ant's life cycle and roles
  • Lessons of hard work and cooperation from ants
  • Understanding comprehension questions
  • Interpreting phrases related to ant behavior

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Questions and Solutions

Comprehension Check I

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

(i) highly exaggerated.

(ii) too remarkable to be true.

(iii) not based on facts.

Solution: The phrase 'too remarkable to be true' suggests that something is so extraordinary or impressive that it is difficult to believe it is actually real. While it might sound untrue, it doesn't necessarily mean it's not based on facts or is just exaggerated. Therefore, option (ii) is the most accurate interpretation.

Comprehension Check I

2. 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, commonest, but 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.

Comprehension Check I

3. In what ways is an ant's life peaceful?

Solution: An ant's life is considered peaceful because every ant contributes to the group's well-being by performing its assigned tasks intelligently and courageously. Furthermore, they maintain harmony by never engaging in fights or conflicts with other members of their colony.

Comprehension Check II

1. 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. It takes approximately two to three weeks for a grub to develop into a cocoon. Following this, the cocoon requires about three more weeks to break open, at which point a fully formed ant emerges.

Comprehension Check II

2. Why do the worker ants carry the grubs about?

Solution: Worker ants diligently carry the grubs around for essential care. Their responsibilities include feeding and cleaning the young ants. Additionally, they regularly take the grubs outside for airing, exercise, and exposure to sunshine, which are vital for their healthy development.

Comprehension Check II

3. What jobs are new ants trained for?

Solution: Upon reaching a certain stage, new ants undergo a period of training that lasts for about a week. During this training, they are taught and prepared for various roles within the anthill, such as becoming workers, soldiers, builders, or cleaners, under the guidance of older, experienced ants.

Comprehension Check II

4. Name some other creatures that live in anthills.

Solution: While ants are the primary inhabitants, anthills often serve as homes for other creatures as well. Some of these include beetles, different and lesser breeds of ants that might be distinct from the main colony, and the greenfly.

Comprehension Check II

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

Solution: The 'tiny teacher', the ant, offers valuable lessons for humans. Three important things we can learn are: 1. Hard Work and Dedication: Ants are incredibly industrious and consistently perform their duties without complaint. This teaches us the importance of being diligent in our own tasks. 2. Peaceful Coexistence: Ants live together in large groups without fighting. This highlights the value of cooperation and avoiding unnecessary conflicts, showing that a community can thrive when members respect each other. 3. Discipline and Order: Each ant has a specific role and follows the rules of the colony. This teaches us the importance of discipline and understanding our responsibilities within a larger group or society.

Common mistakes

  • Misinterpreting idiomatic phrases.
  • Confusing the stages of an ant's life cycle.
  • Overlooking the social and cooperative aspects of ant life.
  • Failing to connect the ant's behavior to lessons for humans.

Revision tips

  • Read the chapter 'The Tiny Teacher' carefully to grasp the details of ant life.
  • Review the solutions to understand the answers to comprehension questions.
  • Focus on the lessons about hard work, discipline, and cooperation that ants teach.
  • Practice explaining the ant's life cycle and roles in your own words.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What does the phrase 'too remarkable to be true' imply about the ant's life?

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

Q3. How long does it typically take for a grub to develop into a complete ant?

Q4. Why do worker ants move the grubs around?

Q5. What is a key lesson humans can learn from ants?

Frequently asked questions

What is Chapter 1 of the CBSE Class 7 English (An Alien Hand) textbook about?

Chapter 1 is titled 'The Tiny Teacher' and focuses on the fascinating life of ants, their organized society, and the lessons humans can learn from their diligence and cooperation.

What are the main stages in an ant's life cycle as described in the solutions?

The solutions describe the life cycle starting from a grub, which develops into a cocoon in about two to three weeks. After three more weeks, the cocoon breaks, and a complete ant emerges.

What jobs do new ants learn in the anthill?

New ants receive about a week of training to learn various duties such as being workers, soldiers, builders, and cleaners, guided by older ants.

What key message does the chapter 'The Tiny Teacher' convey?

The chapter highlights the importance of hard work, discipline, and peaceful coexistence. It suggests that humans can learn a lot from ants about performing duties diligently and without conflict.

How do these NCERT Solutions help students?

These solutions provide clear, rewritten answers to all comprehension questions, helping students understand the chapter's content, learn about ant behavior, and prepare effectively for their English exams.

Important links

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