CBSE Class 7 English An Alien Hand Chapter 4: The Cop and the Anthem NCERT Solutions

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 7 PDF

This chapter, 'The Cop and the Anthem' from the CBSE Class 7 English textbook 'An Alien Hand', presents a narrative about Soapy, a homeless man who desperately seeks to be imprisoned for the winter. The NCERT Solutions provided here offer detailed explanations for each question in the exercise. They cover Soapy's various attempts to get arrested, his motivations, and the unexpected turn of events. Students will explore themes of societal judgment, the desire for security, and the transformative power of hope. These solutions are designed to help students understand the story's nuances, analyze Soapy's character, and prepare effectively for their exams by clarifying complex plot points and character motivations.

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BoardCBSE
ClassClass 7
SubjectEnglish An Alien Hand
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 4

Chapter summary

Chapter 4, 'The Cop and the Anthem,' focuses on Soapy's persistent efforts to get arrested and find refuge in prison during winter. The NCERT Solutions delve into the story's plot, explaining Soapy's different strategies, his interactions with the police, and the reasons behind his failures and eventual change of heart. The exercises test comprehension of the narrative, character analysis, and understanding of the story's underlying themes.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand Soapy's motivations for wanting to go to prison.
  • Analyze the different methods Soapy used to get arrested.
  • Explain why Soapy's plans to get arrested failed.
  • Identify the signs of approaching winter mentioned in the story.
  • Discuss the unexpected change in Soapy's character and its cause.
  • Evaluate the role of societal perception in the story.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Soapy's desire for prison
  • Signs of approaching winter
  • Soapy's attempts to get arrested
  • Character analysis of Soapy
  • The role of the police
  • The church anthem's influence
  • Themes of hope and redemption
  • Societal judgment
  • Narrative comprehension
  • Vocabulary and comprehension questions

Important topics

  • Soapy's motivations and plans
  • The significance of the anthem
  • Soapy's transformation
  • Analysis of plot and character
  • Understanding narrative themes

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

What are some of the signs of approaching winter referred to in the text?
Solution: The text mentions several signs that indicate winter is drawing near. These include the natural phenomenon of birds migrating southwards, indicating colder weather is coming. Additionally, people begin to feel the need for warmer clothing, specifically purchasing new, warm coats. The falling of dead leaves from the trees is also presented as a visual cue of the changing season.

Question 2

Write 'True' or 'False' against each of the following statements:
  1. Soapy did not want to go to prison.
  2. Soapy had been to prison several times.
  3. It was not possible for Soapy to survive in the city.
  4. Soapy hated to answer questions of a personal nature.
Solution:
  1. False; Soapy actually wanted to go to prison to escape the winter cold.
  2. True; The story implies Soapy was a regular in prison, having been there multiple times before.
  3. False; While survival was difficult, Soapy's main issue was the cold, not the impossibility of survival itself. He sought prison as a solution.
  4. True; Soapy disliked being questioned about personal matters, as it might reveal his intentions or background in ways he didn't want.

Question 3

What was Soapy's first plan? Why did it not work?
Solution: Soapy's initial strategy was to dine at an expensive restaurant. His intention was to enjoy a lavish meal and then, upon being presented with the bill, to declare that he had no money and refuse to pay. He believed this act of defiance would lead to his arrest and a three-month sentence on Blackwell's Island.

This plan failed because Soapy's appearance was not that of a wealthy patron. As soon as he entered a fine restaurant on Broadway, his shabby and unkempt clothes immediately drew the attention of the head waiter. Instead of being allowed to dine, he was unceremoniously thrown out of the establishment before he could even attempt his planned refusal to pay.

Question 4

"But the cop's mind would not consider Soapy." What did the cop not consider, and why?
Solution: The cop did not consider Soapy as the person who had thrown a stone through the shop's glass window. The cop reasoned that a person who had just committed such a destructive act would not likely remain at the scene calmly talking to the police. He assumed the real culprit would have fled immediately after breaking the window, thus dismissing Soapy's presence as unrelated to the crime.

Question 5

"We have orders to let them shout." What is the policeman referring to?
Solution: In an attempt to get arrested, Soapy began shouting loudly outside a theatre, acting as if he were intoxicated. However, the policeman on duty did not see this as a serious offense. He perceived Soapy's behavior as harmless antics, possibly by college students protesting or celebrating. The policeman's remark indicated that they had instructions to ignore such minor disturbances and not arrest individuals who were merely shouting without causing significant harm or disruption.

Question 6

Write 'True' or 'False' against each of the following statements:
  1. Soapy stole a man's umbrella.
  2. The owner of the umbrella offered to give it to Soapy.
  3. The man had stolen the umbrella that was now Soapy's.
  4. Soapy threw away the umbrella.
Solution:
  1. True; Soapy took an umbrella that was left leaning against a shop.
  2. False; The owner of the umbrella did not offer it to Soapy; Soapy simply took it.
  3. True; The man whose umbrella Soapy took had himself stolen it earlier.
  4. True; After realizing the umbrella was not a ticket to prison, Soapy discarded it.

Question 7

"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 brought about by the beautiful and inspiring music of a church anthem. As he stood near a church, listening to the organist play, the melody evoked deep, forgotten feelings and aspirations within him. This experience made him realize that he could aspire to a better life, one of honesty and purpose, rather than continuing his path towards imprisonment. The music awakened a sense of hope and a desire for redemption he thought was lost forever.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing Soapy's intentions with genuine criminal intent.
  • Misinterpreting the reasons for the failure of Soapy's plans.
  • Overlooking the significance of the anthem in Soapy's transformation.
  • Failing to connect the signs of winter to Soapy's desperation.

Revision tips

  • Reread the story carefully, paying attention to Soapy's actions and thoughts.
  • Summarize each of Soapy's attempts to get arrested in your own words.
  • Identify the turning point in the story and explain its impact on Soapy.
  • Discuss the theme of hope and its role in the story's conclusion.
  • Practice answering the questions by referring to the detailed solutions.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What was the primary reason Soapy wanted to go to prison?

Q2. Which of the following was NOT a sign of approaching winter mentioned in the text?

Q3. Why did Soapy's plan to dine and dash fail?

Q4. What did the cop believe about the person who broke the shop window?

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

Frequently asked questions

What is Chapter 4 of CBSE Class 7 English (An Alien Hand) about?

Chapter 4, 'The Cop and the Anthem,' tells the story of Soapy, a homeless man who tries various methods to get arrested and spend the winter in prison, but ultimately experiences a change of heart due to a church anthem.

Why did Soapy want to go to prison?

Soapy wanted to go to prison to escape the harsh and cold winter, seeking the warmth and shelter that jail provided, as opposed to being homeless on the streets.

What were some of Soapy's failed attempts to get arrested?

Soapy tried dining and dashing at a fancy restaurant, pretended to be drunk, broke a shop window, and stole an umbrella, but each attempt failed to get him arrested.

What event led to a change in Soapy's attitude?

The sound of a church organ playing a beautiful anthem deeply moved Soapy, inspiring him to change his ways and pursue an honest life instead of seeking imprisonment.

How do these NCERT Solutions help Class 7 students?

These solutions provide clear, step-by-step answers and explanations for the chapter's questions, helping students understand the story's plot, character motivations, and themes for better comprehension and exam preparation.

Important links

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NCERT Solutions PDF PDF on NCERT Help. URL unchanged for search indexing.