CBSE Class 7 English The Squirrel (Poem) NCERT Solutions
CBSE Class 7 English Poem 11, 'The Squirrel', NCERT Solutions, offers a deep dive into the poet's delightful observations of this common creature. The solutions meticulously explain the poem, focusing on the squirrel's unique appearance, its energetic behaviour, and its famously bushy tail, often likened to a question mark. Students will gain a clear understanding of the squirrel's physical traits, like its grey coat and swift movements, and appreciate the poet's descriptive language. The solutions also explore the subtle interactions between the squirrel and the observer, providing insights into the poem's themes and imagery. This resource aims to enhance comprehension, enabling students to confidently answer questions about the poem and excel in their English studies.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 7 |
| Subject | English |
| Session | 2026 |
| Language | English |
| Type | NCERT Solutions |
| Chapter | 11 The Squirrel (Poem) |
Chapter summary
This chapter's NCERT Solutions for CBSE Class 7 English focus on the poem 'The Squirrel'. It covers questions related to the squirrel's physical description, its playful nature, and the poet's imaginative comparison of its tail to a question mark. The solutions provide clear, step-by-step answers to help students analyze the poem's imagery and understand the nuances of the poet's language.
Learning outcomes
- Understand the physical characteristics of a squirrel as described in the poem.
- Interpret the poet's figurative language, such as the 'question mark for tail'.
- Analyze the interaction between the squirrel and the poet.
- Describe the squirrel's playful and teasing behaviour.
- Improve comprehension skills for poetry.
Topics covered
Paper topics
- Poem Analysis
- The Squirrel
- Figurative Language
- Poetic Description
- Animal Behaviour
- Interpretation of Poetry
- Class 7 English
- NCERT Solutions
Important topics
- Understanding the 'question mark for tail' imagery
- Describing the squirrel's appearance and actions
- Analyzing the poet's interaction with the squirrel
- Interpreting figurative language in poetry
PDF preview
Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.
Questions and Solutions
The Squirrel (Poem) - Initial Observation
You may have seen a squirrel sitting on the ground eating a nut. What did it look like?
Solution: The squirrel is a small, rodent-like animal. It is typically grey in colour, often with brown stripes running along its body. Its small size and furry coat can make it resemble a baby rabbit. Squirrels are known for their quick movements and their preference for living in trees. A prominent feature is its bushy tail. The overall impression is of a cute and lively creature that enjoys eating nuts.
Working with the Poem - Question 1
Why does the poet say the squirrel "wore a question mark for tail"? Draw a squirrel, or find a picture of a squirrel sitting on the ground. How would you describe its tail?
Solution: The poet uses the phrase "wore a question mark for tail" because the squirrel's tail, when it sits on the ground, has a shape that closely resembles a question mark – it is curved and often held upright. If you were to draw a squirrel or observe a picture, you would notice its tail is quite bushy and has a distinct curl. Describing it, one might say it looks like a furry question mark, or perhaps like a plume of fur clutched together in a rounded shape.
Working with the Poem - Question 2
Do we usually say that an animal 'wears' a tail? What do we say? (Think: Does an animal wear a coat? Consult a dictionary if you like, and find out how 'wear' is used in different ways.)
Solution: No, we do not typically say that an animal 'wears' a tail. The common and standard way to express this is that the animal 'has' a tail. The word 'wear' is usually used for clothing or accessories that are put on the body, like a coat or a hat. While 'wear' can have other meanings, in the context of body parts like tails, 'has' is the conventional verb.
Working with the Poem - Question 3
"He liked to tease and play". Who is teasing whom? How?
Solution: In the poem, the squirrel is teasing the poet and his friends. The teasing happens when the poet and his friends try to get close to the squirrel, perhaps by running around the tree it is sitting on. Instead of staying still or running away completely, the squirrel playfully darts off in the opposite direction, engaging in a game of chase and teasing them with its quick movements.
Common mistakes
- Misinterpreting figurative language.
- Confusing the literal and figurative meanings of words like 'wore'.
- Not fully describing the squirrel's appearance based on the poem.
Revision tips
- Read the poem aloud to grasp its rhythm and imagery.
- Focus on the descriptive words used for the squirrel.
- Pay close attention to the comparison of the tail to a question mark.
- Discuss the squirrel's behaviour with classmates to understand its playful nature.
Practice MCQs
Q1. What is the primary colour of the squirrel mentioned in the initial description?
Explanation: The initial description states the squirrel's colour is grey with brown strips on its body.
Q2. Why did the poet compare the squirrel's tail to a question mark?
Explanation: The poet compared the tail to a question mark because its shape, when the squirrel sat on the ground, resembled a question mark.
Q3. What does the poet mean when he says the squirrel 'wore a question mark for tail'?
Explanation: This is a figurative description where the shape of the squirrel's tail is likened to a question mark.
Q4. How does the squirrel typically behave when the poet and his friends try to approach it?
Explanation: The squirrel is described as teasing and playing, running the other way when approached.
Q5. What is the usual way to describe an animal having a tail, as opposed to 'wearing' one?
Explanation: We typically say an animal 'has' a tail, not 'wears' one, which is a more figurative usage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main subject of the poem 'The Squirrel'?
The poem 'The Squirrel' is about the poet's observations of a squirrel, focusing on its physical appearance, its playful behaviour, and its distinctive tail.
How is the squirrel's tail described in the poem?
The poet describes the squirrel's tail as being shaped like a 'question mark' when it sits on the ground, due to its bushy and curved appearance.
What does the poem say about the squirrel's interaction with people?
The poem suggests the squirrel is playful and likes to tease. When people try to get close or run around its tree, it playfully runs the other way.
What is the difference between saying an animal 'wears' a tail and 'has' a tail?
Saying an animal 'has' a tail is the standard, literal way to describe it. 'Wears' a tail is a figurative expression used poetically to describe the tail's appearance or how it's carried.
How can these NCERT Solutions help Class 7 students?
These solutions provide clear, rewritten answers to all questions based on the poem 'The Squirrel', helping students understand its meaning, imagery, and language for better comprehension and exam preparation.
Content reviewed by the NCERT Help team. Editorial Team and update policy
NCERT Solutions PDF PDF on NCERT Help. URL unchanged for search indexing.