CBSE Class 7 English: Chapter 4 - The Cop and the Anthem 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 CBSE Class 7 English, Chapter 4, "The Cop and the Anthem." The chapter explores the character of Soapy, a homeless man who desperately seeks to be arrested and sent to prison for the winter, believing it to be a comfortable refuge. The solutions guide students through understanding Soapy's various attempts to get arrested, his motivations, and the unexpected transformation he experiences. Key themes such as irony, societal judgment, and the possibility of redemption are examined. These solutions offer clear explanations and step-by-step answers to all exercises, aiding students in comprehending the narrative, character development, and underlying messages of the story, making it an excellent tool for exam preparation and revision.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 7
Subject	English
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	Chapter 4- The Cop and the Anthem

Chapter summary

Chapter 4, "The Cop and the Anthem," of the CBSE Class 7 English NCERT Solutions focuses on the narrative of Soapy, a man seeking refuge from the winter in prison. The exercises cover his failed attempts at getting arrested, the irony of his situation, and the profound change of heart he experiences. Students will analyze the story's plot, character motivations, and thematic elements like societal perception and personal redemption through the provided answers.

Learning outcomes

Understand the character of Soapy and his motivations.
Analyze the various attempts Soapy makes to get arrested.
Identify and explain the instances of irony in the story.
Describe the factors that lead to Soapy's change of heart.
Discuss the theme of redemption and societal judgment.
Answer comprehension questions based on the text.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Soapy's character and motivations
Attempts to get arrested
Irony in literature
The theme of winter and homelessness
Societal judgment
Redemption and transformation
The role of memory and past experiences
The significance of the anthem
Comprehension of narrative texts
Analysis of character development

Important topics

Soapy's motivations for seeking prison
The ironic situations in the story
The turning point and Soapy's change of heart
Themes of redemption and societal issues
Analysis of literary devices (irony)

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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 observing that birds are beginning their southward migration, noticing that people are starting to purchase new, warm coats to protect themselves from the cold, and seeing that dead leaves are falling from the trees, a common characteristic of the autumn season preceding winter.

Question 2

Write 'True' or 'False' against each of the following statements:

Soapy did not want to go to prison.
Soapy had been to prison several times.
It was not possible for Soapy to survive in the city through the winter.
Soapy hated to answer questions of a personal nature.

Solution:

False. Soapy actually desired to go to prison as a refuge from the winter cold.
True. The text implies Soapy was a regular in prison, suggesting he had been there multiple times.
True. Soapy's situation made it extremely difficult for him to survive the winter on the streets.
True. While not explicitly stated as a hatred, Soapy's actions and desire to be arrested quickly suggest he wanted to avoid any prolonged interaction or questioning.

Question 3

What was Soapy's first plan to get arrested, and why did it not work?

Solution: Soapy's initial strategy was to enter a luxurious restaurant, enjoy a hearty meal, and then, upon being presented with the bill, declare that he had no money to pay. He expected this would lead to his arrest by the police and a subsequent sentence of three months in prison on Blackwell's Island. However, this plan failed because the restaurant's head waiter noticed Soapy's shabby appearance – his worn-out shoes and tattered clothes. Instead of calling the police, the waiter quickly escorted Soapy out of the establishment, preventing his intended arrest.

Question 4

The text states, "But the cop's mind would not consider Soapy." What did the cop not consider, and why?

Solution: The cop did not consider Soapy for arrest because the crime Soapy was attempting (window smashing) was not what the cop was focused on at that moment. When Soapy smashed a window, the cop's attention was drawn to a man further down the street who was running away. The cop assumed this running man was the perpetrator and pursued him, completely overlooking Soapy, who was standing by the broken window.

Question 5

The policeman says, "We have orders to let them shout." What is the policeman referring to?

Solution: The policeman was referring to the college students who were celebrating. He explained to a bystander that they had specific orders to allow the students to shout and make noise because their actions were considered harmless revelry and not a disturbance that required intervention. When Soapy started shouting loudly, the policeman mistook him for one of these celebrating college boys and thus did not arrest him.

Question 6

Write 'True' or 'False' against each of the following statements:

Soapy stole a man's umbrella.
The owner of the umbrella offered to give it to Soapy.
The man had stolen the umbrella that was now Soapy's.
Soapy threw away the umbrella.

Solution:

True. Soapy took an umbrella that was leaning against a shop.
False. The owner did not offer the umbrella to Soapy; rather, he asked if Soapy wanted it, implying Soapy should take it.
True. The man whose umbrella Soapy took had himself stolen it earlier.
True. Soapy threw the umbrella away after the owner's remark.

Question 7

The story states, "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 when he found himself near his old home. The sight of the familiar place, the memory of his childhood, and the sweet music emanating from a nearby room stirred deep emotions within him. He reflected on his wasted life, his wrong desires, and his lost potential. This moment of introspection, illuminated by the peaceful moonlight and the distant sounds, made him realize how far he had fallen and instilled in him a powerful determination to reform himself and become a respectable man again.

Question 8

Suppose no cop came at the end. What would Soapy's life be like through the winter?

Solution: If no police officer had arrested Soapy at the end, his life through the winter would likely have been drastically different due to the internal transformation he experienced. Inspired by the memories and the anthem, he was determined to change his life. He would have probably sought out the man who had offered him a job earlier and worked towards living a respectable life. The story suggests that his newfound resolve and the change in his soul would have guided him to give up his bad habits and build a better future for himself, turning his life around positively.

Question 9

Retell an episode in the story which is a good example of irony in a situation.

Solution: A significant episode demonstrating situational irony occurs when Soapy, after numerous failed attempts to get arrested, finally commits a crime (stealing an umbrella) that should lead to his imprisonment. However, the owner of the umbrella, upon seeing Soapy with it, generously offers it to him, saying, "I wish you would take it." This unexpected kindness thwarts Soapy's plan. Even more ironically, as Soapy discards the umbrella, another man steals it, and it is this second theft that finally leads to Soapy's arrest. The irony lies in Soapy's desperate attempts to be arrested failing, only for him to be arrested when he least expected it and through a series of events that thwarted his own intentions.

Common mistakes

Misinterpreting Soapy's desire for prison as genuine criminal intent rather than a search for shelter.
Overlooking the significance of the anthem and the church in Soapy's transformation.
Failing to recognize the situational irony in Soapy's failed attempts at arrest.
Confusing the reasons why Soapy's different plans don't work.

Revision tips

Reread the story, paying close attention to Soapy's thoughts and feelings.
List Soapy's different attempts to get arrested and analyze why each failed.
Identify the moment of Soapy's transformation and the specific events that triggered it.
Discuss the meaning of irony with examples from the story.
Summarize the main themes of the chapter, such as hope, redemption, and societal issues.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What was Soapy's primary motivation for wanting to be arrested?

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

Q3. Why did Soapy's plan to dine at a fine restaurant fail?

Q4. What was the ironic outcome of Soapy throwing away the umbrella?

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of 'The Cop and the Anthem'?

The main themes of 'The Cop and the Anthem' include the irony of fate, the search for comfort and shelter, societal judgment, and the possibility of redemption and personal transformation.

Why did Soapy want to go to prison?

Soapy wanted to go to prison because he saw it as a warm and safe refuge from the harsh winter, preferring it to sleeping on the cold streets.

What triggered the change in Soapy's character?

The change in Soapy was triggered by hearing the anthem from a church near his old home, which evoked memories of his past and a strong desire to reform his life.

How do the NCERT Solutions for this chapter help students?

These solutions provide clear, step-by-step answers to all questions, helping students understand the plot, characters, themes, and literary devices used in the story, which is crucial for their English exam preparation.

What is the significance of the 'anthem' in the story?

The anthem serves as a catalyst for Soapy's transformation. Hearing it evokes memories of his past innocence and aspirations, leading him to a profound realization of his fallen state and a desire to change.

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