CBSE Class 7 English Honeycomb: Chapter 5 Quality NCERT Solutions

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 7 PDF

This chapter, 'Quality', delves into the story of Mr. Gessler, a dedicated bootmaker, and his exceptional craftsmanship. The NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English (Honeycomb) Chapter 5 provide detailed answers to the questions based on the text. Students will explore the author's perspective on Mr. Gessler's work ethic, the reasons behind the infrequent visits to his shop, and the impact of customer feedback. The solutions also cover the contrast between small, quality-focused businesses and large firms, and the author's personal reasons for supporting Mr. Gessler. Additionally, the 'Working with Language' section helps students understand and use idiomatic phrases related to 'look' in various contexts. These solutions are designed to enhance comprehension and aid in exam preparation by offering clear explanations and insights into the chapter's narrative and language elements.

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Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 7
SubjectEnglish Honeycomb
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 5

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English (Honeycomb) Chapter 5, 'Quality', focuses on understanding the narrative about Mr. Gessler, a skilled bootmaker. The solutions cover questions about his craftsmanship, the author's relationship with him, and the challenges faced by small businesses against larger competitors. It also includes exercises on using common English phrases involving the word 'look', reinforcing language skills. This chapter's solutions aim to improve reading comprehension and vocabulary for Class 7 students.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the author's opinion of Mr. Gessler's bootmaking skills.
  • Explain the reasons for the author's infrequent visits to Mr. Gessler's shop.
  • Analyze the impact of customer feedback on a craftsman like Mr. Gessler.
  • Compare the business practices of small, quality-focused shops versus large firms.
  • Learn and use idiomatic phrases involving the word 'look' in context.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Mr. Gessler's craftsmanship
  • Author's opinion of Mr. Gessler
  • Reasons for infrequent visits to the shop
  • Impact of customer feedback
  • Comparison of small businesses and big firms
  • Ethical business practices
  • The concept of 'Quality'
  • Idiomatic phrases with 'look'
  • Reading comprehension
  • Vocabulary building

Important topics

  • Understanding 'Quality' in craftsmanship
  • The struggle of small businesses
  • Author's perspective on Mr. Gessler
  • Using idiomatic expressions correctly
  • Analyzing character motivations

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

What was the author's opinion about Mr. Gessler as a bootmaker?
Solution: The author held a very high opinion of Mr. Gessler as a bootmaker. He believed Mr. Gessler possessed exceptional skill, creating boots that were not only aesthetically pleasing but also incredibly durable, lasting for a very long time. The author admired his dedication, honesty, and passion for his craft, viewing him as a true artist whose work deserved respect and appreciation.

Question 2

Why did the author visit the shop so infrequently?
Solution: The author's infrequent visits to Mr. Gessler's shop were primarily due to the outstanding quality and longevity of the boots made there. Each pair lasted so long that the author simply did not have a reason to order new ones regularly. Later, after the author moved away from London, his visits became even rarer, and he would only purchase multiple pairs when he returned after extended periods.

Question 3

What was the effect on Mr. Gessler of the author's remark about a certain pair of boots?
Solution: When the author made a remark about a specific pair of boots, Mr. Gessler was visibly upset. As a craftsman who took immense pride in his work, such a comment deeply affected him. Demonstrating his integrity and commitment to customer satisfaction, he immediately offered to replace the boots with a new pair, free of charge, rather than let the author keep a pair he was unhappy with.

Question 4

What was Mr. Gessler's complaint against "big firms"?
Solution: Mr. Gessler's primary complaint against the 'big firms' was their lack of self-respect and integrity. He felt they sold cheap, poorly made boots that were uncomfortable ('pinched the toe') and were not ashamed of deceiving their customers. He was particularly dismayed that these large companies, through aggressive advertising, were drawing customers away from dedicated craftsmen like himself, despite their inferior product quality.

Question 5

Why did the author order so many pairs of boots? Did he really need them?
Solution: The author ordered so many pairs of boots primarily out of sympathy and a desire to support Mr. Gessler's struggling business. He recognized that the craftsman was losing customers to larger companies and wanted to help him earn a decent living. Therefore, the author did not order them because he genuinely needed that many pairs at the time, but rather as a gesture of support for Mr. Gessler's livelihood and dedication to his craft.

Working with Language

Study the following phrases and their meanings. Use them appropriately to complete the sentences that follow.

(i) After a very long spell of heat, the weather is _____ at last.

(ii) We have no right to ______ people who do small jobs.

(iii) Nitin has always _____ his uncle, who is a self-made man.

(iv) The police are _____ the matter thoroughly.

(v) If you want to go out, I will _____ the children for you.

(vi) I promise to _____ On your brother when I visit Lucknow next.

(vii) _____ when you are crossing the main road.

Solution:

(i) After a very long spell of heat, the weather is looking up at last.

(ii) We have no right to look down upon people who do small jobs.

(iii) Nitin has always looked up to his uncle, who is a self-made man.

(iv) The police are looking into the matter thoroughly.

(v) If you want to go out, I will look after the children for you.

(vi) I promise to look up your brother when I visit Lucknow next.

(vii) Look out when you are crossing the main road.

Common mistakes

  • Misinterpreting the author's reasons for not visiting the shop frequently.
  • Failing to grasp the subtle critique of large businesses and their advertising strategies.
  • Incorrectly using idiomatic phrases in the 'Working with Language' section.

Revision tips

  • Reread the story focusing on the author's feelings towards Mr. Gessler.
  • Pay close attention to the contrast drawn between Mr. Gessler's shop and the 'big firms'.
  • Practice using the 'look' phrases from the 'Working with Language' section in your own sentences.
  • Summarize the main points of the story in your own words to check understanding.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What was the author's primary opinion of Mr. Gessler as a bootmaker?

Q2. Why did the author not visit Mr. Gessler's shop often?

Q3. What was Mr. Gessler's reaction when the author pointed out a flaw in a pair of boots?

Q4. What was Mr. Gessler's main complaint about 'big firms'?

Q5. Why did the author order many pairs of boots at once on his return?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of Chapter 5, 'Quality', in Class 7 English?

The main theme revolves around the dedication to craftsmanship, the value of quality over mass production, and the challenges faced by small, traditional businesses in the face of large corporations.

Who was Mr. Gessler in the story?

Mr. Gessler was a German immigrant who was a highly skilled and dedicated bootmaker, known for the exceptional quality and durability of his handmade boots.

Why did the author feel bad for Mr. Gessler?

The author felt bad because Mr. Gessler's traditional bootmaking business was suffering due to competition from large firms that advertised heavily, even if their products were of lower quality.

What does the phrase 'look down upon' mean in the context of the chapter?

In the chapter, 'look down upon' means to disrespect or consider someone inferior, specifically referring to people who perform small jobs.

How do these NCERT Solutions help Class 7 students?

These solutions provide clear, rewritten answers to all questions, helping students understand the story's nuances, improve their comprehension skills, and learn new vocabulary and language usage.

Important links

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