CBSE Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 8: Fire - Friend and Foe NCERT Solutions

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CBSE Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 8, 'Fire: Friend and Foe,' explores the multifaceted nature of fire. This chapter examines how fire has been a crucial element in the development of human civilization, providing warmth, enabling cooking, and powering industries. It explains the science behind fire as a chemical reaction, detailing the elements required for it to exist. Simultaneously, the chapter addresses the destructive power of fire when uncontrolled, highlighting the significant risks it poses to life and property. The NCERT Solutions associated with this chapter aim to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of fire's benefits and its dangers, equipping them with knowledge about fire safety and management. This balanced perspective is essential for students to appreciate fire's role while respecting its potential hazards.

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Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 7
SubjectEnglish Honeycomb
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 8

Chapter summary

Chapter 8, 'Fire: Friend and Foe,' focuses on understanding fire's properties and its significance. The NCERT Solutions cover the scientific definition of fire as a chemical reaction, its 'flash point,' and its essential uses in cooking, heating, electricity generation, and waste disposal. The solutions also address the dangers of fire when uncontrolled, explaining why it can be a 'bad master.' This chapter aims to build a foundational knowledge of fire's role in our lives.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the definition of fire as a chemical reaction.
  • Identify the 'flash point' and 'kindling temperature' of fuels.
  • List the various beneficial uses of fire in daily life and industry.
  • Explain why fire can be considered a 'bad master' when out of control.
  • Recall the basic components involved in the combustion process.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Definition of Fire
  • Fire as a Chemical Reaction
  • Heat and Light Release
  • Flash Point
  • Kindling Temperature
  • Uses of Fire (Cooking, Heating, Electricity, Waste Disposal)
  • Fire as a 'Bad Master'
  • Dangers of Uncontrolled Fire
  • Combustion Process

Important topics

  • Fire as a Chemical Reaction
  • Uses of Fire
  • Dangers of Uncontrolled Fire
  • Flash Point and Kindling Temperature

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Questions and Solutions

Comprehension Check - Question 1

Mark the correct answer in each of the following.
  1. Early man was frightened of
    1. lightning and volcanoes.
    2. the damage caused by them.
    3. fire.
    1. Fire is energy.
    2. Fire is heat and light.
    3. Fire is the result of a chemical reaction.
Solution:

(i) Early man was frightened of fire. While lightning and volcanoes are natural phenomena that can cause damage, the control and understanding of fire itself was a significant challenge and source of fear for early humans.

(ii) Fire is the result of a chemical reaction. This chemical reaction involves a fuel rapidly combining with oxygen, releasing energy in the form of heat and light.

Comprehension Check - Question 2

From the boxes given below choose the one with the correct order of the following sentences.
  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.

Choose the correct order from the options:

  1. (i)(ii) (iii) (iv)
  2. (ii) (iii) (i) (iv)
  3. (iv) (iii) (ii) (i)
  4. (iv) (ii) (iii) (i)
Solution:

The correct order of the sentences that describe the process of fire is:

  1. (iv) Oxygen combines with carbon and hydrogen. This is the initial step where the fuel reacts with oxygen.
  2. (ii) A chemical reaction takes place. This reaction is the combustion process itself.
  3. (iii) Energy in the form of heat and light is released. This is the observable outcome of the chemical reaction, which we perceive as fire.
  4. (i) That is fire. This sentence concludes the description by identifying the phenomenon.

Therefore, the correct option is (iv) (ii) (iii) (i).

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 to which the fuel must be heated to ignite and burn in the presence of air. It is the temperature at which the fuel starts to produce enough flammable vapor to catch fire. This temperature is specific to each type of fuel and is also referred to as the 'kindling temperature'.

Working with the Text - Question 2 (A)

What are some common uses of fire?
Solution:

Fire has numerous essential uses in our daily lives and for societal progress. Some common uses include:

  1. Cooking: Fire is fundamental for cooking food, making it digestible and safe to eat.
  2. Heating: It is used to keep our homes warm during cold weather, providing comfort and preventing hypothermia.
  3. Electricity Generation: In power plants, fire (often from burning coal) is used to heat water, producing steam that drives turbines to generate electricity.
  4. Lighting: Fire provides light, historically through torches and lamps, and currently in various forms.
  5. Waste Disposal: Fire is used to burn and dispose of waste materials, reducing their volume and sometimes sterilizing them.
  6. Industrial Processes: Many industrial processes, like metalworking and pottery, rely on high temperatures generated by fire.

Working with the Text - Question 2 (B)

In what sense is it a "bad master"?
Solution:

Fire is considered a "bad master" because while it is incredibly useful when controlled, it can become extremely dangerous and destructive when it gets out of control. If a fire is not managed properly, it can spread rapidly, causing immense damage to property such as homes, shops, and buildings. It can devastate vast areas of forests, leading to ecological damage and loss of wildlife. Furthermore, uncontrolled fires pose a severe threat to human life, causing injuries and fatalities.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing the 'flash point' with the actual burning temperature.
  • Not fully understanding the sequence of events in a combustion reaction.
  • Underestimating the destructive potential of uncontrolled fires.

Revision tips

  • Focus on the scientific explanation of fire as a chemical reaction.
  • Memorize the key uses of fire and the dangers it poses.
  • Understand the concept of 'flash point' and its significance.
  • Review the sequence of sentences describing the combustion process.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What is the primary characteristic of fire mentioned in the text?

Q2. What is the 'flash point' of a fuel?

Q3. Which of the following is NOT listed as a common use of fire?

Q4. Why is fire called a 'bad master'?

Q5. In the process of combustion described, what combines with fuel components?

Frequently asked questions

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

Chapter 8, 'Fire: Friend and Foe,' discusses the nature of fire, its essential uses for humans, and the dangers it poses when it gets out of control.

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

The 'flash point' is the lowest temperature at which a fuel can ignite and begin to burn. It is also known as the 'kindling temperature'.

How is fire beneficial to us?

Fire is beneficial for cooking food, providing warmth, generating electricity, lighting up areas, and burning waste materials.

Why is fire considered a 'bad master'?

Fire is called a 'bad master' because if it is not controlled, it can cause widespread destruction to homes, forests, and can lead to injuries or loss of life.

What is the scientific explanation for fire given in the chapter?

The chapter explains fire as a chemical reaction where a substance reacts rapidly with oxygen, releasing energy in the form of heat and light.

Important links

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