CBSE Class 7 English NCERT Solutions: Chapter 5 - Quality

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 7 PDF

CBSE Class 7 English Chapter 5, 'Quality,' introduces us to Mr. Gessler, a dedicated bootmaker renowned for his exceptional craftsmanship. The NCERT Solutions for this chapter offer a deep dive into the narrative, exploring the author's admiration for Mr. Gessler's artistry and the reasons behind the author's infrequent visits to the shop. We learn about the challenges Mr. Gessler faced due to competition from larger businesses and the author's empathetic perspective on his struggles. The solutions also address the impact of customer feedback on the craftsman's work. Furthermore, the chapter includes exercises designed to enhance language skills, focusing on vocabulary, particularly phrasal verbs associated with 'look,' and the pronunciation of words featuring the 'sh' sound. These resources are crafted to help students understand the story's subtleties and refine their English proficiency, serving as a valuable tool for exam preparation.

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Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 7
SubjectEnglish
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
Chapter5- Quality

Chapter summary

Chapter 5, 'Quality,' focuses on the narrative of a skilled but struggling bootmaker. The NCERT Solutions cover questions related to the author's admiration for Mr. Gessler's work, the longevity of his boots, and the challenges posed by mass-production businesses. The exercises also reinforce language skills through the use of phrasal verbs and the identification of the 'sh' sound in various words, aiding students in comprehension and vocabulary development.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the author's perspective on Mr. Gessler's craftsmanship.
  • Analyze the reasons behind the author's infrequent visits to the bootmaker's shop.
  • Explain the challenges faced by small businesses against larger competitors.
  • Identify and correctly use phrasal verbs related to 'look'.
  • Recognize and pronounce words containing the 'sh' sound.
  • Develop an appreciation for quality and dedication in work.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Character analysis of Mr. Gessler
  • Themes of quality and craftsmanship
  • Competition between small businesses and large firms
  • Author's relationship with the bootmaker
  • Understanding phrasal verbs
  • Using 'look' phrasal verbs (look after, look down on, look in, look into, look out, look up, look up to)
  • Pronunciation of the 'sh' sound
  • Vocabulary building

Important topics

  • Quality vs. Mass Production
  • The Art of Craftsmanship
  • Phrasal Verbs with 'Look'
  • Understanding Character Motivation
  • The 'sh' Sound in English

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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 considered him to be the best in the city. Mr. Gessler's expertise was evident in his meticulous work; he only made boots that were specifically ordered, and these boots were guaranteed to fit perfectly. The author found the boots made by Mr. Gessler to be both mysterious and wonderful, highlighting his exceptional artistry in his craft.

Question 2

Why did the author visit the shop so infrequently?
Solution: The author visited Mr. Gessler's shop infrequently because the boots made by the bootmaker were exceptionally durable and lasted a very long time. Unlike ordinary footwear, Mr. Gessler's boots possessed a quality that extended their usability far beyond the usual lifespan, meaning the author did not need to replace them often.

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 affected. He looked at the author with surprise for a moment, as if considering how to respond or perhaps retract his statement. He then asked the author to return the boots, offering to remove them from the bill if he could not rectify any issue with them, showing his deep concern for the quality and his customers' satisfaction.

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 their reliance on aggressive advertising rather than the quality of their products. He felt that these large companies gained business through advertisements, which he believed was a dishonest practice. He lamented that their methods were causing his own business to decline, leading to fewer orders and the potential loss of his livelihood.

Question 5

Why did the author order so many pairs of boots? Did he really need them?
Solution: The author ordered many pairs of boots primarily out of sympathy and a desire to help Mr. Gessler, especially after learning about the death of Mr. Gessler's elder brother and the subsequent struggles of the business. He was shocked and saddened by the news. No, the author did not actually need so many pairs of boots; his order was an act of compassion to support the aging craftsman during difficult times.

Working with Language - Exercise I

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

look after: take care of

look down on: disapprove or regard as inferior

look in (on someone): make a short visit

look into: investigate

look out: be careful

look up: improve

look up to: admire

(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:
  1. After a very long spell of heat, the weather is looking up at last. (This indicates improvement.)
  2. We have no right to look down on people who do small jobs. (This means we should not disapprove of or consider people doing small jobs as inferior.)
  3. Nitin has always looked up to his uncle, who is a self-made man. (This shows admiration for his uncle.)
  4. The police are looking into the matter thoroughly. (This means they are investigating the issue.)
  5. If you want to go out, I will look after the children for you. (This means taking care of the children.)
  6. I promise to look in on your brother when I visit Lucknow next. (This means making a short visit to check on him.)
  7. Look out when you are crossing the main road. (This is a warning to be careful.)

Working with Language - Exercise II

Each of the following words contains the sound 'sh' (as in shine) in the beginning or in the middle or at the end. First speak out all the words clearly. Then arrange the words in three groups in the table on page 80.

sheep, trash, marsh, fashion, shriek, anxious, shore, fish, portion, ashes, sure, nation, pushing, polish, shoe, moustache

Solution:

This exercise focuses on identifying the 'sh' sound in different positions within words. Here's a breakdown:

'sh' sound at the beginning:

  • sheep
  • shore
  • shoe
  • shriek

'sh' sound in the middle:

  • fashion
  • portion
  • nation
  • pushing
  • anxious
  • sure
  • moustache

'sh' sound at the end:

  • fish
  • trash
  • marsh
  • ashes
  • polish

Students should practice saying these words aloud to clearly distinguish the 'sh' sound in its various positions.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing the meanings of similar phrasal verbs (e.g., look after vs. look in on).
  • Misinterpreting the author's intentions or Mr. Gessler's feelings.
  • Difficulty in distinguishing the 'sh' sound in different word positions.
  • Overlooking the underlying message about the value of craftsmanship.

Revision tips

  • Reread the story, paying close attention to the author's descriptions of Mr. Gessler and his work.
  • Practice using the 'look' phrasal verbs in your own sentences.
  • Say the words with the 'sh' sound aloud to improve pronunciation.
  • Discuss the themes of quality, dedication, and competition with classmates.

Practice MCQs

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

Q2. Why did the author visit Mr. Gessler's shop infrequently?

Q3. What was Mr. Gessler's main complaint about 'big firms'?

Q4. Which phrasal verb means 'to investigate'?

Q5. The phrase 'looking up' in the context of weather suggests:

Q6. Which word contains the 'sh' sound at the end?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of Chapter 5, 'Quality'?

The main theme of Chapter 5, 'Quality,' is the appreciation of true craftsmanship and dedication to one's work, contrasted with the superficiality of mass production and advertising.

Who was Mr. Gessler in the story?

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

Why did the author order many boots from Mr. Gessler?

The author ordered many boots not because he needed them, but as a way to support Mr. Gessler, especially after learning about the death of his elder brother and the struggles of his business.

What does the exercise 'Working with Language' focus on?

The 'Working with Language' section focuses on understanding and using phrasal verbs related to the verb 'look' and practicing the pronunciation of words containing the 'sh' sound.

How do these NCERT Solutions help students?

These solutions help students understand the story's deeper meanings, improve their vocabulary through phrasal verb exercises, and enhance their pronunciation skills, aiding in comprehensive learning and exam preparation.

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