CBSE Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 17: Dad and The Cat and The Tree - NCERT Solutions

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 7 PDF

This introduction covers CBSE Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 17, focusing on the NCERT Solutions for the poem 'Dad and The Cat and The Tree.' The poem humorously depicts Dad's attempts to rescue a cat from a tree, highlighting his initial overconfidence and subsequent failed plans. The narrative takes an ironic turn as the cat remains safe while Dad finds himself in a precarious situation. The solutions explore the poem's engaging story, the characters' reactions, and the comedic elements arising from Dad's predicament and Mum's practical concerns. These resources aim to enhance students' comprehension of the poem's events and themes, enabling them to appreciate its humor and prepare thoroughly for their examinations.

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BoardCBSE
ClassClass 7
SubjectEnglish Honeycomb
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 17

Chapter summary

This chapter's NCERT Solutions focus on the poem 'Dad and The Cat and The Tree'. It breaks down the narrative, explaining Dad's attempts to rescue a cat from a tree, his self-assuredness, and the comical failures of his plans. The solutions highlight the poem's humor, stemming from Dad's overconfidence and the final ironic outcome. Students will find detailed answers to questions about the poem's events, character dialogues, and the overall humorous tone, aiding comprehension and revision.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the narrative and sequence of events in the poem 'Dad and The Cat and The Tree'.
  • Analyze Dad's character, particularly his overconfidence and subsequent predicament.
  • Identify and explain the sources of humor within the poem.
  • Interpret specific phrases and dialogues used by characters.
  • Compare the initial and final situations of the cat and Dad.
  • Articulate the poem's central irony and message.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Poem Analysis
  • Character Study (Dad, Cat, Mum)
  • Humor in Poetry
  • Sequence of Events
  • Figurative Language
  • Understanding Idioms and Phrases
  • Narrative Structure
  • Irony
  • Rhyme and Rhythm
  • Comprehension Skills

Important topics

  • Dad's Overconfidence and Failures
  • The Role of Humor in the Poem
  • Sequence and Consequences of Plans
  • The Final Ironic Outcome
  • Character Interactions (Dad and Mum)

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

Why was Dad sure he wouldn't fall?
Solution:

Dad was confident he wouldn't fall because he considered himself a skilled climber. He viewed climbing trees as a very simple task, akin to 'child's play', which led him to believe he was incapable of falling.

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 shows his belief that climbing the tree would be effortless for him.

Question 3

Describe Plan A and its consequences.
Solution:

Plan A involved using a ladder to climb up the tree and bring the cat down. However, this plan failed disastrously. As Dad was climbing, the ladder slipped, causing him to fall directly into a flower bed, resulting in a messy and undignified landing.

Question 4

Plan C was a success. What went wrong then?
Solution:

Plan C, which involved Dad jumping onto the tree from the top of the garden wall, was initially successful in that he reached the tree. However, things went wrong immediately after. He landed right on top of the cat, startling it. The cat let out a yowl and jumped down to safety, leaving poor Dad stranded and stuck on the tree himself.

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 upon reaching the ground safely is 'Pleased as Punch to be'.

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, meowing for help, while 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 managed to get down safely on its own and is happy on the ground, while Dad, after all his failed attempts, is left stuck in the tree.

Question 7

Why and when did Dad say each of the following? (i) 'Fall?' (ii) 'Never mind' (iii) 'Funny joke' (iv) 'Rubbish'
Solution:

Dad said these things at different points in the poem, reflecting his changing confidence and reactions:

  1. 'Fall?': Dad said this scornfully when his mother expressed concern that he might fall from the tree. He was mocking her worry and emphasizing his supposed climbing prowess.
  2. 'Never mind': He uttered 'Never mind' after his first attempt (Plan A) failed when the ladder slipped and he fell into the flower bed. He said this to reassure his mother that he was alright and ready to try again.
  3. 'Funny joke': Dad said 'Funny joke' when his mother warned him again about the danger of falling during his second attempt (Plan B). He said this boastfully, feeling overly confident that his next plan would surely succeed.
  4. 'Rubbish': He exclaimed 'Rubbish' when his mother, after Plan B also failed, pleaded with him to stop, fearing he might break his neck. Dad dismissed her concerns, believing his next plan (Plan C) would work and wanting to maintain his reputation.

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 stems from several elements: Dad's exaggerated self-confidence, his series of comical failures while trying to rescue the cat, and the ironic twist at the end where the cat gets down safely by itself, leaving Dad stranded. Lines that evoke laughter include descriptions of his falls, like falling into the flower bed, and the final image of him stuck in the tree while the cat is nonchalantly on the ground. Mum's worried interjections also add to the light-hearted, humorous tone.

Common mistakes

  • Misinterpreting Dad's confidence as genuine skill rather than overconfidence.
  • Failing to recognize the humor in Dad's repeated failures.
  • Confusing the sequence of Dad's different rescue plans.
  • Overlooking the irony of the cat's self-rescue versus Dad's predicament.

Revision tips

  • Read the poem aloud to appreciate its rhythm and humor.
  • Summarize each of Dad's plans and their outcomes in your own words.
  • Focus on the contrast between Dad's initial confidence and the final situation.
  • Discuss the humorous elements with classmates to deepen understanding.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What was Dad's initial reaction when Mum expressed concern about him falling?

Q2. Which plan involved using the garden wall?

Q3. What happened immediately after Dad successfully jumped onto the tree in Plan C?

Q4. Which phrase best describes the cat's feeling upon reaching the ground safely?

Q5. What was the final ironic situation at the end of the poem?

Frequently asked questions

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

The main theme revolves around Dad's overconfident and ultimately unsuccessful attempts to rescue a cat from a tree, highlighting humor through his failures and the ironic twist at the end.

Why is Dad considered overconfident in the poem?

Dad repeatedly boasts about his climbing abilities, calling it 'child's play', and dismisses concerns about falling, showcasing his excessive self-assurance despite his failures.

How do the NCERT Solutions for this chapter help students?

These solutions provide clear, rewritten answers to all questions, helping students understand the poem's plot, characters, humor, and underlying messages, which is crucial for exam preparation.

What is the significance of Plan C in the poem?

Plan C is significant because it's the most daring attempt where Dad jumps from the garden wall. While he reaches the tree, it leads to the cat escaping and Dad getting stuck, creating the poem's central irony.

What does the phrase 'Pleased as Punch to be' indicate?

This phrase indicates that the cat was extremely happy and delighted to be back on the ground safely after its ordeal in the tree.

How does the poem create humor?

The humor arises from Dad's exaggerated confidence, his comical failures with each plan, Mum's skeptical reactions, and the final ironic situation where the cat is safe and Dad is stranded.

Important links

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