CBSE Class 7 English NCERT Solutions: Fire - Friend and Foe

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 7 PDF

This resource provides detailed NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English, Chapter 8, titled 'Fire - Friend and Foe'. It covers essential concepts related to fire, explaining what it is, its benefits as a friend, and its destructive potential as a foe. The solutions break down the comprehension checks, working with the text, and vocabulary exercises, offering clear explanations for each question. Students will learn about the 'flash point' of fuel, common uses of fire, why it can be a 'bad master', and the three main ways to control or extinguish a fire. The chapter also includes matching exercises and practical applications of fire safety. These solutions are designed to help students grasp the chapter's content thoroughly, aiding in their exam preparation and understanding of fire's dual nature.

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BoardCBSE
ClassClass 7
SubjectEnglish
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
Chapter8- Fire Friend and Foe

Chapter summary

Chapter 8, 'Fire - Friend and Foe,' delves into the nature of fire, its essential components, and its significance in human life. The NCERT Solutions cover comprehension questions about fire's definition and early man's perception, practical applications like cooking and heating, and the dangers associated with uncontrolled fire. It also explains the scientific principles behind fire control, such as removing fuel, cutting off oxygen, and lowering temperature below the flash point. Matching exercises reinforce the understanding of fuel, oxygen, heat, and fire-fighting methods.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the definition and nature of fire.
  • Identify the essential components required for fire.
  • Explain the uses of fire in daily life.
  • Recognize the dangers of fire when uncontrolled.
  • Describe methods to control and extinguish fires.
  • Define the 'flash point' of a fuel.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Nature of Fire
  • Early Man and Fire
  • Uses of Fire
  • Fire as a Foe
  • Flash Point of Fuel
  • Components of Fire
  • Controlling Fire
  • Fire Extinguishing Methods
  • Types of Fire Extinguishers
  • Fire Safety

Important topics

  • Definition and components of fire
  • Uses and dangers of fire
  • Methods to control and extinguish fire
  • Flash point of fuel
  • Carbon dioxide extinguishers

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Questions and Solutions

Comprehension Check - Question 1

Mark the correct answer in each of the following. Early man was frightened of:
  1. lightning and volcanoes.
  2. the damage caused by them.
  3. fire.
Solution: The correct answer is (c) fire. Early humans were initially afraid of fire because they did not understand it and it could cause destruction. As they learned to control it, they realized its benefits.

Comprehension Check - Question 2

Mark the correct answer in each of the following. Fire is:
  1. energy.
  2. heat and light.
  3. the result of a chemical reaction.
Solution: The correct answer is (c) Fire is the result of a chemical reaction. Fire is a rapid chemical process that involves combustion, releasing energy in the form of heat and light.

Comprehension Check - Question 3

From the boxes given below choose the one with the correct order of the following sentences to explain what fire is.
  1. That is fire.
  2. A chemical reaction takes place.
  3. Energy in the form of heat and light is released.
  4. Oxygen combines with carbon and hydrogen.
Options provided in source: (ii) (iii) (iv) (ii) (iii) (i) (iv) and (iii) (ii) (i) (iv) (ii) (iii) (i)
Solution: The correct order of sentences to explain what fire is, is (ii) (iv) (iii) (i). This sequence explains that a chemical reaction occurs where oxygen combines with substances like carbon and hydrogen, releasing energy as heat and light, which we perceive as fire.

The correct sequence is:

  1. A chemical reaction takes place.
  2. Oxygen combines with carbon and hydrogen.
  3. Energy in the form of heat and light is released.
  4. That is fire.

Working with the Text - Question 1

What do you understand by the 'flash point' of a fuel?
Solution: The 'flash point' of a fuel is the minimum temperature at which the fuel starts to burn when exposed to an ignition source. It is the temperature at which the fuel gives off enough vapor to ignite.

Working with the Text - Question 2 (a)

What are some common uses of fire?
Solution: Fire has many common uses in our daily lives. It is used to cook food, providing warmth in homes during cold weather, generating electricity in power plants, and in various industrial processes. It also plays a role in signaling and in certain cultural ceremonies.

Working with the Text - Question 2 (b)

In what sense is it a "bad master"?
Solution: Fire is considered a "bad master" when it gets out of control. In such situations, it can be extremely dangerous, causing widespread destruction by burning houses, shops, and vast forest areas. It can also lead to loss of life, injuries, and significant damage to property.

Working with the Text - Question 3

Match items in Column A with those in Column B.

Column A: (i) fuel, (ii) oxygen, (iii) heat

Column B: lighted matchstick, air, coal, wood, cooking gas, burning coal, smouldering paper, smouldering

Solution: Here is the correct matching of items from Column A with Column B:

a. fuel - coal, wood, cooking gas

b. oxygen - air

c. heat - lighted match stick, burning coal, smouldering paper

These matches represent examples of what fuels are, where oxygen comes from, and sources of heat that can initiate or sustain a fire.

Working with the Text - Question 4

What are the three main ways in which a fire can be controlled or put out?
Solution: The three main ways to control or extinguish a fire are:
  1. By removing the fuel: If the material that is burning is taken away, the fire will stop because it has nothing to consume.
  2. By preventing oxygen from reaching it: Fire needs oxygen to burn. If the supply of oxygen is cut off, the fire will go out.
  3. By bringing the temperature below the 'flash point' of the fuel: Cooling the burning material below its flash point stops the release of flammable vapors, thus extinguishing the fire.

Working with the Text - Question 5

Match the items in Box A with those in Box B.

Box A:

  1. To burn paper or a piece of wood,
  2. Small fires can be put out
  3. When water is spread on fire,
  4. A carbon dioxide extinguisher is the best thing
  5. Space left between buildings

Box B:

  • it absorbs heat from the burning material and lowers the temperature.
  • reduces the risk of fire.
  • with a damp blanket.
  • to put out an electrical fire.
  • we heat it before it catches fire.
Solution: Here are the correct matches between Box A and Box B:
  1. To burn paper or a piece of wood - we heat it before it catches fire.
  2. Small fires can be put out - with a damp blanket.
  3. When water is spread on fire - it absorbs heat from the burning material and lowers the temperature.
  4. A carbon dioxide extinguisher is the best thing - to put out an electrical fire.
  5. Space left between buildings - reduces the risk of fire.
These matches illustrate basic principles of combustion and fire safety.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing the components needed for fire.
  • Underestimating the dangers of uncontrolled fire.
  • Not understanding the scientific principles behind fire extinguishing.
  • Incorrectly matching terms related to fire and its control.

Revision tips

  • Review the definitions of 'flash point' and the three requirements for fire.
  • Focus on the 'friend' vs. 'foe' aspects of fire discussed in the chapter.
  • Understand the practical methods for controlling and extinguishing different types of fires.
  • Practice the matching exercises to reinforce vocabulary and concepts.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What is the minimum temperature at which a fuel begins to burn called?

Q2. Which of the following is NOT a necessary component for fire?

Q3. In what sense can fire be considered a 'bad master'?

Q4. Which method of fire control involves removing the substance that is burning?

Q5. What is a carbon dioxide extinguisher best suited for?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main topic of Chapter 8 in Class 7 English NCERT?

Chapter 8, 'Fire - Friend and Foe,' discusses the nature of fire, its benefits to humans, and its destructive potential when uncontrolled. It also covers how to manage and extinguish fires.

What does 'flash point' mean in the context of fire?

The 'flash point' is the lowest temperature at which a fuel can vaporize and ignite when exposed to an open flame or spark.

What are the three essential things needed for fire?

Fire needs three main things to burn: fuel (something to burn), oxygen (from the air), and heat (to reach the ignition temperature).

How can fire be controlled or put out?

Fire can be controlled by removing the fuel, preventing oxygen from reaching it, or by lowering the temperature below the fuel's flash point.

Why is a carbon dioxide extinguisher recommended for electrical fires?

A carbon dioxide extinguisher is best for electrical fires because it smothers the fire without conducting electricity, thus preventing further hazards.

How do these NCERT solutions help students?

These solutions provide clear, rewritten answers to all questions in Chapter 8, helping students understand the concepts of fire, its uses, dangers, and safety measures, which aids in exam preparation.

Important links

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