CBSE Class 7 English An Alien Hand: Chapter 6 - I Want Something in a Cage NCERT Solutions

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 7 PDF

This resource provides detailed NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English (An Alien Hand) Chapter 6, titled 'I Want Something in a Cage'. It covers comprehension checks that explore the character of Mr. Purcell, the atmosphere of his pet shop, and the plight of the caged animals. Students will find clear explanations for identifying specific vocabulary related to animal sounds and emotions, understanding figurative language used to describe Mr. Purcell, and analyzing the overall mood of the shop. These solutions are designed to help students grasp the nuances of the story, improve their reading comprehension skills, and prepare effectively for their English exams by offering step-by-step answers and insightful analysis.

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Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 7
SubjectEnglish An Alien Hand
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 6

Chapter summary

Chapter 6, 'I Want Something in a Cage,' from the An Alien Hand textbook for Class 7 English, focuses on understanding the narrative through comprehension checks. The solutions provided cover questions related to the character of the shop owner, Mr. Purcell, the sensory details of his shop, and the emotional state of the caged animals. Students will practice identifying descriptive words and interpreting the author's tone and message.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the characterization of Mr. Purcell.
  • Identify and interpret vocabulary related to animal sounds and emotions.
  • Analyze the atmosphere and mood of the pet shop.
  • Explain the significance of figurative language used in the text.
  • Answer comprehension questions based on textual evidence.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Character Analysis of Mr. Purcell
  • Pet Shop Atmosphere
  • Animal Sounds Vocabulary
  • Figurative Language
  • Comprehension Skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Literary Devices
  • Textual Interpretation

Important topics

  • Characterization of Mr. Purcell
  • Analyzing the shop's atmosphere
  • Vocabulary of animal sounds
  • Understanding textual references

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Questions and Solutions

Comprehension Check I

1. Write 'True' or 'False' against each of the following statements:
  1. Mr Purcell sold birds, cats, dogs and monkeys.
  2. He was very concerned about the well-being of the birds and animals in his shop.
  3. He was impressed by the customer who bought the two doves.
  4. He was a successful shop owner, though insensitive and cold as a person.
Solution:
  1. True. The text implies he sold a variety of pets.
  2. False. While he ran a pet shop, the description of the animals' conditions suggests a lack of deep concern for their well-being.
  3. False. The text does not indicate he was particularly impressed; his focus was on the transaction.
  4. True. He was successful in business, but his interactions and the shop's atmosphere suggest he was personally insensitive and cold.

Comprehension Check I

2. Why is Mr Purcell compared to an owl?
Solution:

Mr Purcell is compared to an owl because he wore large spectacles. These glasses magnified his eyes, giving him a facial appearance that resembled a wise and gentle owl.

Comprehension Check I

3. From the third paragraph pick out:
  1. words associated with cries of birds,
  2. words associated with noise,
  3. words suggestive of confusion and fear.
Solution:
  1. Words associated with cries of birds include 'cheeps' and 'whispered twitters'.
  2. Words associated with noise are 'rustling', 'squeals', 'cheeps', and 'squeaks'.
  3. Words suggestive of confusion and fear are 'bewildered', 'frantic', 'frightened', and 'blindly seeking'.

Comprehension Check I

4. "...Mr Purcell heard it no more than he would have heard the monotonous ticking of a familiar clock." (Read para beginning with "It was a rough day...")
  1. What does 'it' refer to?
  2. Why does Mr Purcell not hear 'it' clearly?
Solution:
  1. The word 'it' refers to the sound of the bell that was placed over the door of the shop. This bell would jingle every time a customer entered the shop.
  2. Mr Purcell could not hear the bell clearly because his pet shop was constantly filled with the various sounds of the birds and other pets he kept. The continuous chirping, squeaking, and mewing created a noisy environment that masked the sound of the bell.

Comprehension Check II

1. Do you think the atmosphere of Mr Purcell's shop was cheerful or depressing? Give reasons for your answer.
Solution:

The atmosphere of Mr Purcell's shop was likely depressing, despite the noises made by the animals. Although the birds and animals created sounds, the fact that they were caged suggests a lack of freedom. The author uses words like 'frantic circles', 'frightened', 'bewildered', and 'blindly seeking' to describe the animals' behaviour, which points towards an environment of distress and unhappiness rather than cheerfulness.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing Mr. Purcell's outward appearance with his inner feelings.
  • Misinterpreting the sounds of the animals as purely cheerful.
  • Overlooking the subtle descriptions that create a depressing atmosphere.

Revision tips

  • Reread the chapter, paying close attention to descriptions of Mr. Purcell and his shop.
  • List the words used to describe animal sounds and emotions, and understand their connotations.
  • Discuss with classmates why the shop's atmosphere might be considered depressing despite the animal noises.
  • Practice answering the comprehension questions without looking at the solutions first.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What kind of shop did Mr. Purcell own?

Q2. Why was Mr. Purcell compared to an owl?

Q3. Which of these words is NOT associated with the cries of birds in the text?

Q4. What did 'it' refer to in the sentence 'Mr Purcell heard it no more than he would have heard the monotonous ticking of a familiar clock.'?

Q5. According to the text, why did Mr. Purcell not hear the bell clearly?

Frequently asked questions

What is Chapter 6 of CBSE Class 7 English (An Alien Hand) about?

Chapter 6, 'I Want Something in a Cage,' explores the character of Mr. Purcell, the owner of a pet shop, and the environment he creates for the animals. The NCERT Solutions help understand the story's details and themes.

How do the NCERT Solutions for this chapter help students?

These solutions provide clear, rewritten answers to the comprehension questions, helping students understand the text better, analyze characters and settings, and improve their vocabulary related to animal sounds and emotions.

What kind of questions are covered in Comprehension Check I?

Comprehension Check I includes True/False statements about Mr. Purcell and his shop, questions about why he is compared to an owl, and vocabulary exercises to identify words related to bird sounds, noise, and fear.

What is the main focus of Comprehension Check II?

Comprehension Check II asks students to evaluate the atmosphere of Mr. Purcell's shop (cheerful or depressing) and provide reasons based on the text, encouraging deeper analysis of the story's mood.

Are the original questions preserved in these solutions?

Yes, all the original questions from the chapter are kept exactly the same, with their numbering and wording. The solutions, however, are rewritten to be more detailed and explanatory.

Important links

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