CBSE Class 7 English Poem 17: Dad and the Cat and the Tree NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 7 PDF

This resource provides comprehensive NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English Poem 17, 'Dad and the Cat and the Tree'. It delves into the humorous narrative of a father's attempts to rescue his cat from a tree. The solutions explain the characters' actions, the sequence of events, and the underlying humor in the poem. Students will find detailed explanations for each question, helping them understand Dad's overconfidence, the cat's reactions, and the various plans he devises. These solutions are designed to aid students in comprehending the poem's nuances, improving their analytical skills, and preparing effectively for their English exams by offering clear, step-by-step answers and insights into the poem's literary devices and themes.

Home

Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 7
Subject	English
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	17 Dad and the Cat and the Tree (Poem)

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for CBSE Class 7 English Poem 17, 'Dad and the Cat and the Tree', offers a detailed analysis of the poem. It covers questions related to the characters' confidence, the sequence of events, the various rescue plans (Plan A, B, C), and the humorous outcomes. The solutions help students understand the poem's narrative structure, the father's overconfidence, and the cat's perspective, making it a valuable tool for grasping the poem's essence and preparing for assessments.

Learning outcomes

Understand the sequence of events in the poem 'Dad and the Cat and the Tree'.
Analyze the character of Dad and his overconfidence.
Identify and explain the humor presented in the poem.
Interpret specific phrases and dialogues used in the poem.
Describe the situations at the beginning and end of the poem.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Poem Analysis
Character Study (Dad, Cat)
Sequence of Events
Humor in Poetry
Understanding Figurative Language
Rhyme and Rhythm
Comprehension Questions
Vocabulary from the Poem

Important topics

Dad's Overconfidence and Plans
The Cat's Reaction and Rescue
Humorous Elements of the Poem
Beginning vs. End Situation
Analysis of Key Phrases

PDF preview

Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.

Loading document …

Page of

Loading page …

Questions and Solutions

Question 1

Why was Dad sure he wouldn't fall?

Solution: Dad was quite certain that he would not fall because he considered himself a skilled climber. He viewed the act of climbing trees as something very easy, akin to 'child's play' for him, which boosted his confidence.

Question 2

Which phrase in the poem expresses Dad's self- confidence best?

Solution: The phrase that best expresses Dad's high level of self-confidence is "Child's play, this is!". This statement clearly indicates his belief in his own climbing abilities and his underestimation of the task.

Question 3

Describe Plan A and its consequences.

Solution: Plan A involved Dad using a ladder to climb up the tree and bring the cat down. However, this plan failed when the ladder slipped as he was climbing. Consequently, Dad landed awkwardly in the flower bed, resulting in a messy and unsuccessful attempt.

Question 4

Plan C was a success. What went wrong then?

Solution: Plan C was indeed successful in its immediate objective: Dad managed to jump onto the tree and land right on the cat. This startled the cat, causing it to yowl and jump down to safety. However, the plan went wrong for Dad because he ended up stuck on the tree himself after the cat sprang away.

Question 5

The cat was very happy to be on the ground. Pick out the phrase used to express this idea.

Solution: The phrase used in the poem to express the cat's happiness and relief upon reaching the ground safely is "Pleased as Punch to be". This idiom vividly conveys the cat's contentment.

Question 6

Describe the Cat and Dad situation in the beginning and at the end of the poem.

Solution: In the beginning of the poem, the cat is stuck high up in the tree, and Dad is on the ground, devising various plans to rescue it. By the end of the poem, the situation is ironically reversed: the cat has successfully made its way down to the ground safely, while Dad finds himself stuck in the tree, unable to get down.

Question 7

Why and when did Dad say each of the following?

Fall?
Never mind
Funny joke
Rubbish

Solution:

Dad said 'Fall?' scornfully when his wife warned him about the danger of falling while he was attempting to climb the tree. He dismissed her concern with disbelief.
Dad said 'Never mind' after he slipped from the ladder during Plan A. He said this to reassure his wife and perhaps himself that the fall was not serious and he was alright.
Dad exclaimed 'Funny joke' when his wife warned him again about falling, possibly after Plan B failed or as he was contemplating his next move. He said this because he was overly confident in his subsequent plans, viewing her warning as an unnecessary jest.
Dad dismissively said 'Rubbish' when his wife asked him to stop, fearing he might break his neck after Plan B didn't work. He considered her advice foolish because he was convinced that Plan C would be successful and he would easily climb the tree.

Question 8

Do you find the poem humorous? Read aloud lines which make you laugh.

Solution: Yes, the poem is indeed very humorous. The humor arises from the comical situation of Dad's repeated, failed attempts to climb the tree. His excessive confidence, contrasted with his actual lack of climbing success, adds significantly to the comedy. Lines like "Child's play, this is!" said with such bravado, and the final ironic twist where Dad gets stuck while the cat is safe, are particularly funny and contribute to the poem's light-hearted tone.

Common mistakes

Misinterpreting Dad's overconfidence as genuine skill.
Failing to identify the humor in the father's failed attempts.
Confusing the order of the different rescue plans.
Not understanding the cat's perspective or reactions.

Revision tips

Read the poem aloud to appreciate its rhythm and humor.
Focus on Dad's changing plans and their outcomes.
Discuss the poem with classmates to understand different interpretations.
Pay attention to the specific phrases that highlight Dad's confidence and the cat's relief.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Why was Dad so confident he wouldn't fall while climbing the tree?

Q2. What was Plan A, and what happened when Dad tried it?

Q3. Which phrase best shows Dad's confidence?

Q4. What happened at the end of Plan C?

Q5. How did the cat feel after reaching the ground?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of the poem 'Dad and the Cat and the Tree'?

The main theme is the humorous depiction of a father's overconfidence and his comical attempts to rescue his cat from a tree, highlighting the irony of him getting stuck while the cat gets down safely.

Who are the main characters in the poem?

The main characters are the Dad, who is portrayed as overly confident and prone to elaborate, yet failing, plans, and the Cat, who is initially stuck and later relieved to be on the ground.

Why is the poem considered humorous?

The poem is humorous due to the father's exaggerated confidence, his series of failed rescue attempts, and the ironic twist where he ends up stuck while the cat is safe.

What does 'Child's play, this is!' reveal about Dad?

This phrase reveals Dad's immense self-confidence and his underestimation of the difficulty involved in climbing the tree to rescue the cat.

How do the solutions help students prepare for exams?

These solutions provide clear, step-by-step answers to comprehension questions, helping students understand the poem's nuances, characters, and themes, which is crucial for exam preparation.

Content reviewed by the NCERT Help team. Editorial Team and update policy

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