CBSE Class 8 English It So Happened NCERT Solutions: Chapter 7 The Open Window

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 8 PDF

This chapter, 'The Open Window', from CBSE Class 8 English 'It So Happened' delves into a story of misunderstanding and nervousness. The NCERT Solutions provide detailed answers to comprehension questions based on the text. The solutions explain why the protagonist, Framton Nuttel, visits a rural area, the reasons behind his sister's actions, and the tragic event that haunts the Sappleton family. They also clarify the reactions of characters to an open window and the subsequent events. These solutions are designed to help students grasp the nuances of the story, understand character psychology, and prepare effectively for their exams by offering clear explanations of the text's critical elements.

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Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 8
SubjectEnglish It So Happened
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 7

Chapter summary

Chapter 7, 'The Open Window', focuses on a narrative filled with suspense and a touch of the uncanny. The NCERT Solutions cover comprehension checks that explore Framton Nuttel's visit for his health, his sister's social strategy, and the Sappleton family's tragic past related to the open window. The solutions clarify the niece's storytelling, Mrs. Sappleton's peculiar hope, and Framton's fearful reaction to what he perceives as a ghostly return. These solutions aid in understanding the story's central mystery and its resolution.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the reasons for Framton Nuttel's visit to the countryside.
  • Explain the sister's motivation for providing letters of introduction.
  • Recount the tragic incident as narrated by the niece.
  • Analyze Mrs. Sappleton's perspective on the open window.
  • Describe Framton's fearful reaction and its cause.
  • Identify the elements of suspense and misunderstanding in the story.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Framton Nuttel's nervous condition
  • Rural retreat for treatment
  • Sister's social strategy
  • Letters of introduction
  • The Sappleton family tragedy
  • The open French window
  • Niece's narrative
  • Mrs. Sappleton's hope
  • Framton's fear and reaction
  • Misunderstanding and suspense

Important topics

  • Framton Nuttel's nervous condition and visit
  • The Sappleton family's tragic past
  • The significance of the open window
  • The niece's role in creating suspense
  • Framton's misinterpretation of events

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

Why had Framton Nuttel come to the "rural retreat"?
Solution: Framton Nuttel had come to the village seeking a "rural retreat" because he was suffering from a severe nervous disorder. His doctors had advised him to move to the countryside to rest and recover from his ailment.

Question 2

Why had his sister given him letters of introduction to people living there?
Solution: Framton's sister knew that he was a very shy and nervous person. She was concerned that he would feel lonely and bored in the new surroundings, which could worsen his condition. Therefore, she gave him letters of introduction to people she knew in the area, hoping he would meet new people and socialize, thus helping his recovery.

Question 3

What had happened in the Sappleton family as narrated by the niece?
Solution: The niece narrated a tragic story to Framton Nuttel. She explained that about three years ago, her aunt's husband and his two younger brothers had gone out for a hunting trip through the open French window and had never returned. They were presumed to have been lost or met with an accident during their excursion.

Question 1

What did Mrs. Sappleton say about the open window?
Solution: Mrs. Sappleton spoke about the open French window casually, mentioning that her husband and brothers were out for a hunting trip and were expected to return anytime. She stated that they often came back through that window, and she kept it open for them until it was dark.

Question 2

The horror on the girl's face made Framton swing around in his seat. What did he see?
Solution: The horror on the niece's face made Framton turn around abruptly. He saw a silhouette of three figures – two men and a dog – approaching the house through the open French window. This sight, combined with the niece's story, filled him with terror, believing them to be the returning ghosts of the hunters.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing the niece's story with reality.
  • Misinterpreting Framton's nervousness as a reaction to actual ghosts.
  • Overlooking the sister's practical reasons for Framton's visit.

Revision tips

  • Reread the story focusing on Framton's state of mind.
  • Pay attention to the dialogue and how it builds suspense.
  • Discuss the niece's role in creating the misunderstanding.
  • Consider the aunt's perspective and her unwavering hope.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Why did Framton Nuttel visit the rural area?

Q2. What was the purpose of the letters of introduction given to Framton?

Q3. According to the niece, what happened to Mr. Sappleton and his brothers?

Q4. Why did Mrs. Sappleton keep the French window open?

Q5. What caused Framton to swing around in his seat?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of Chapter 7, 'The Open Window'?

The main themes of 'The Open Window' are misunderstanding, nervousness, and the power of suggestion, all centered around a seemingly supernatural event that has a rational explanation.

Why was Framton Nuttel in the village?

Framton Nuttel was in the village for a 'rural retreat' to help cure his nervous disorder, as advised by his sister.

What story did the niece tell Framton about the open window?

The niece told Framton that her aunt's husband and two brothers had gone hunting through the open French window three years ago and never returned, leaving the aunt to hope for their return.

What did Framton see that frightened him?

Framton saw the silhouette of three figures, including a dog, approaching the open window, which he interpreted as the ghosts of the hunters returning.

How do these NCERT Solutions help students?

These solutions provide clear, step-by-step answers to the comprehension questions, helping students understand the plot, character motivations, and the story's suspenseful elements for better exam preparation.

Important links

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