CBSE Class 7 English Chapter 9: A Bicycle in Good Repair - 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 9, "A Bicycle in Good Repair." It covers comprehension checks and working with the text, focusing on the narrative of the author and his friend's attempt to fix a bicycle. The solutions clarify the author's feelings about his friend's mechanical skills, the condition of the bicycle, and specific actions taken. Students will find explanations for the bicycle's behavior, the friend's overconfidence, and the consequences of their 'repairs.' These solutions are designed to help students understand the story's nuances, improve their reading comprehension, and prepare effectively for their exams by offering clear, step-by-step answers to all questions.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 7
Subject	English
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	9- A Bicycle in Good Repair

Chapter summary

Chapter 9, "A Bicycle in Good Repair," NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English focuses on a humorous narrative about a friend's well-intentioned but disastrous attempt to repair the author's bicycle. The solutions address comprehension questions about the author's perspective, the bicycle's condition, and the friend's actions. They also delve into the text, explaining the actual state of the bicycle, the friend's overconfidence, and the specific 'repairs' done to the chain and gear-case, aiding students in understanding the story's events and underlying humor.

Learning outcomes

Understand the author's perspective on his friend's mechanical abilities.
Analyze the humor and sarcasm in the narrative.
Identify the sequence of events in the bicycle repair attempt.
Explain the condition of the bicycle before and after the 'repair'.
Interpret phrases related to confidence and hopefulness.
Answer comprehension and textual questions accurately.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Understanding narrative perspective
Analyzing humor and sarcasm
Character analysis
Sequence of events
Vocabulary and phrases
Reading comprehension
Bicycle repair narrative
Author's feelings
Friend's overconfidence

Important topics

Author's perspective on the repair
Friend's character and actions
Humor and sarcasm in the text
Understanding key phrases
Sequence of the 'repair' process

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Questions and Solutions

Comprehension Check - Question 1

"I got up early, for me." It implies that

he was an early riser.
he was a late riser.
he got up late that morning.

Mark the correct answer.

Solution: The phrase "for me" indicates that waking up early was not the author's usual habit. Therefore, it implies that (ii) he was a late riser. This suggests that on this particular occasion, he made an effort to wake up earlier than usual.

Comprehension Check - Question 2

The bicycle "goes easily enough in the morning and a little stiffly after lunch." The remark is

humorous.
inaccurate.
sarcastic.
enjoyable.
meaningless.

Mark your choice(s).

Solution: This remark is indeed (i) humorous, (iii) sarcastic, and (iv) enjoyable. The author uses humor and sarcasm to describe his friend's peculiar observations about the bicycle's performance, which are not based on any real mechanical issue but rather on the friend's own eccentric way of looking at things. The remark is enjoyable because of its witty and ironic tone.

Comprehension Check - Question 3

The friend shook the bicycle violently. Find two or three sentences in the text which express the author's disapproval of it.

Solution: The author expresses his disapproval of his friend shaking the bicycle violently through the following sentences:

"Don't do that; you'll hurt it." This shows the author's immediate concern for the bicycle's well-being.
I did not see why he should shake it; it had not done anything to him. This sentence highlights the author's bewilderment and disagreement with his friend's actions, suggesting they were unnecessary.
I felt much as I should had he started whacking my dog. This is a strong expression of the author's distress and disapproval, comparing the treatment of the bicycle to cruelty towards an animal.

Comprehension Check - Question 4

"...if not, it would make a serious difference to the machine." What does 'it' refer to?

Solution: In this context, 'it' refers to the little balls bearing of the wheel that rolled all over the path. The author is explaining that if these small bearings were not properly in place or were mishandled, it could cause significant damage or a serious problem for the entire bicycle.

Working with the Text - Question 1

Did the front wheel really wobble? What is your opinion? Give a reason for your answer.

Solution: No, the front wheel did not really wobble. My opinion is that the wheel did not have a genuine wobble. The author himself states, "It doesn't if you don't wobble it. It didn't wobble, as a matter of fact nothing worth calling a wobble." This indicates that any perceived wobble was likely caused by the friend's rough handling or was an exaggeration, rather than an inherent problem with the bicycle.

Working with the Text - Question 2

In what condition did the author find the bicycle when he returned from the tool shed?

Solution: When the author returned from the tool shed, he discovered that the front wheel of his bicycle was detached and positioned between his friend's legs. His friend was fiddling with it, twirling it between his fingers. The rest of the bicycle lay in pieces on the gravel path beside them, indicating a complete dismantling rather than a repair.

Working with the Text - Question 3

"Nothing is easier than taking off the gear-case." Comment on or continue this sentence in the light of what actually happens.

Solution: This sentence, "Nothing is easier than taking off the gear-case," was spoken by the author's friend with great confidence, implying it was a simple task. However, the reality turned out to be quite different. Despite the author's attempt to dissuade him by mentioning a friend who suggested selling the machine if the gear-case went wrong, the friend proceeded. In less than five minutes, he had managed to break the gear-case into two pieces lying on the path and was then seen searching for the scattered screws, demonstrating that the task was far from easy and resulted in further disarray.

Working with the Text - Question 4

What special treatment did the chain receive?

Solution: The bicycle chain received a peculiar and detrimental 'treatment' from the friend. First, he tightened the chain so much that it became completely immobile. Subsequently, he loosened it to such an extent that it became twice as loose as it was originally, rendering it ineffective and likely causing further problems.

Working with the Text - Question 5

The friend has two qualities — he knows what he is doing and is absolutely sure it is good. Find the two phrases in the text which mean the same.

Solution: The two phrases from the text that convey the friend's qualities of knowing what he is doing and being absolutely sure it is good are:

cheery confidence: This phrase suggests his unwavering and optimistic belief in his own abilities and actions.
inexplicable hopefulness: This phrase implies a strong, yet perhaps unfounded, sense of optimism and certainty that his actions will lead to a positive outcome, even when evidence suggests otherwise.

Common mistakes

Misinterpreting the author's sarcastic tone.
Confusing the friend's actions with actual helpfulness.
Not understanding the specific mechanical issues described.
Overlooking the humor in the situation.

Revision tips

Reread the chapter, paying attention to the author's descriptions of his friend's actions.
Discuss the humor and sarcasm with classmates.
Summarize the sequence of events in the repair process.
Focus on understanding the meaning of key phrases used in the text.
Use the provided solutions to check your answers and understanding.

Practice MCQs

Q1. The author states, "I got up early, for me." What does this imply?

Q2. The bicycle's condition, "goes easily enough in the morning and a little stiffly after lunch," is described as:

Q3. Which sentence best expresses the author's disapproval of his friend shaking the bicycle violently?

Q4. What did 'it' refer to in the sentence, '...if not, it would make a serious difference to the machine'?

Q5. According to the author, did the front wheel really wobble?

Q6. What was the 'special treatment' the chain received?

Q7. The phrases 'cheery confidence' and 'inexplicable hopefulness' describe the friend's:

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of 'A Bicycle in Good Repair'?

The main theme is the humorous account of a friend's disastrous attempt to 'repair' the author's bicycle, highlighting the friend's overconfidence and the author's exasperation.

Who are the main characters in this chapter?

The main characters are the author and his friend, who undertakes the bicycle repair.

Why does the author express disapproval when his friend shakes the bicycle?

The author disapproves because he feels his friend is being rough and potentially damaging the bicycle, comparing it to mistreating a pet.

What does the phrase 'cheery confidence' suggest about the friend?

It suggests that the friend is very confident and cheerful about his actions, even when they are incorrect or harmful.

How do these NCERT Solutions help students?

These solutions provide clear, rewritten answers to all questions, helping students understand the story, its nuances, and prepare effectively for exams.

What specific mechanical issues are discussed in the chapter?

The chapter discusses issues related to the front wheel, the gear-case, and the bicycle chain, focusing on how the friend's 'repairs' worsen the situation.

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