CBSE Class 8 English Chapter 7 The Open Window NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 8 PDF

CBSE Class 8 English Chapter 7 'The Open Window' NCERT Solutions offer a comprehensive understanding of this intriguing short story. The solutions meticulously address key plot points, including Framton Nuttel's peculiar visit, the mysterious circumstances surrounding the open window, and the unsettling story told by the niece. They explore Framton's nervous disposition and his reasons for seeking a restful stay in the countryside, contrasting it with the dramatic events that unfold. Furthermore, the solutions analyze the story's classification as a mystery, highlighting the skillful use of dramatic irony and the psychological impact on Framton. Students will find detailed explanations for challenging vocabulary and a deeper appreciation for the author's techniques in building suspense and creating memorable characters. These solutions are crafted to enhance comprehension and aid in exam preparation.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 8
Subject	English
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	Chapter 7 The Open Window

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for 'The Open Window' (Chapter 7) for Class 8 English. This chapter focuses on a story involving a practical joke, suspense, and irony. The solutions clarify the characters' motivations, the plot's development, and the central role of the open window. They explain why the story isn't a true mystery and highlight instances of situational irony, helping students understand literary devices and narrative structure.

Learning outcomes

Understand the plot and character motivations in 'The Open Window'.
Identify and explain the use of irony in the story.
Analyze the significance of the open window as a narrative element.
Interpret the niece's actions and Framton's reactions.
Define and identify challenging vocabulary and phrases within the text.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Comprehension Check
Story Analysis
Irony in Literature
Character Motivation
Plot Development
Vocabulary and Phrases
Framton Nuttel's Nervous Condition
Vera's Practical Joke
The Significance of the Open Window
Literary Devices

Important topics

Understanding Situational Irony
Vera's Role and Deception
Framton's Nervous Disorder and Reaction
The Central Symbolism of the Window
Distinguishing Prank from Mystery

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Questions and Solutions

Comprehension Check (Page 57) - Question 1

Why had Framton Nuttel come to the "rural retreat"?

Solution: Framton Nuttel had come to the "rural retreat" because he was suffering from a severe nervous disorder and excessive worry. His doctor had prescribed a complete rest and relaxation in the peaceful countryside to help him recover.

Comprehension Check (Page 57) - Question 2

Why had his sister given him letters of introduction to people living there?

Solution: Framton's sister knew that he was prone to nervousness and would likely feel lonely and bored if he didn't meet anyone in the unfamiliar countryside. To prevent his condition from worsening and to help him socialize, she gave him letters of introduction to people she knew there, including Mrs. Sappleton.

Comprehension Check (Page 57) - Question 3

What had happened in the Sappleton family as narrated by the niece?

Solution: The niece, Vera, narrated a story to Framton that her aunt's husband and his two brothers had gone out hunting through the open window three years ago and had never returned. She implied they had met with a tragic end during that outing.

Comprehension Check (Page 60) - Question 1

What did Mrs Sappleton say about the open window?

Solution: Mrs. Sappleton mentioned that her husband and brothers were out hunting and were expected back any moment. She explained that the window was kept open specifically for their return, as they would often come in through it after their hunting trips.

Comprehension Check (Page 60) - 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 prompted Framton to turn around quickly. He then saw three figures – a man, two brothers, and a dog – walking across the lawn towards the house, seemingly approaching the open window.

Comprehension Check (Page 61) - Question 1

Why did Framton rush out wildly?

Solution: Framton rushed out wildly because he believed the approaching figures were the ghosts of the hunters Vera had described. Having just heard Vera's story about the family members who disappeared through that very window, he was terrified and fled the house in a state of panic.

Comprehension Check (Page 61) - Question 2

What was the girl's explanation for his lightning exit?

Solution: When Framton suddenly fled, the niece quickly invented another story to explain his behavior. She told her aunt that Framton had a terrible experience with dogs in the past and was frightened by the sight of the dog that had accompanied the hunters, causing him to run away.

Exercise (Page 61) - Discuss in Small groups. Q1

Is this a mystery story? Give a reason for your answer.

Solution: No, 'The Open Window' is not a true mystery story. It is a tale that relies on a practical joke orchestrated by the niece, Vera. She uses her vivid imagination to create a suspenseful and seemingly supernatural narrative for Framton, who is a gullible stranger. The story's resolution reveals that there was no mystery, only a prank, and Framton was a victim of Vera's storytelling.

Exercise (Page 61) - Discuss in Small groups. Q2

You are familiar with the 'irony' of the situation in a story. (Remember the cop and the Anthem in Class VII Supplementary Reader!) Which situations in The Open Window' are good examples of the use of irony?

Solution: The story 'The Open Window' provides excellent examples of situational irony. The primary irony lies in Framton Nuttel's purpose for visiting the countryside: he seeks rest and relief from his nervousness. However, instead of finding peace, he encounters a situation that causes him extreme terror and agitation due to Vera's fabricated story. He mistakes the returning hunters for ghosts, a stark contrast to the peaceful environment he sought. Another layer of irony is Vera's quick thinking; she invents a plausible, yet false, explanation for Framton's panicked exit, which her aunt accepts, highlighting the effectiveness of her prank.

Exercise (Page 61) - Discuss in Small groups. Q3

Which phrases/sentences in the text do you find difficult to understand? Select a few and guess the meaning of each. Rewrite a simple paraphrase of each.

Solution: Here are a few phrases from the text and their simple paraphrases:

"Came into the nice division": This phrase likely means entering a pleasant or agreeable category of people or social circle. It suggests being accepted into a group considered respectable or desirable.
"Masculine habitation": This phrase refers to a room or dwelling that suggests the presence or recent occupation of male individuals. It implies that the space has characteristics typically associated with men.
"Bertie, why do you bound?": While 'bound' literally means to jump, in this context, it's used figuratively. It might be an exclamation directed at someone whose behavior is erratic or overly energetic, possibly implying they are acting in an annoying or conspicuous manner. It could also be a playful, yet pointed, question about sudden, energetic movements.

I. SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS - Q1

What is the significance of the window in the story?

Solution: The window holds significant importance in 'The Open Window' as it is the central element around which the plot revolves. It serves as the point of departure for the aunt's husband and brothers, who Vera claims disappeared while hunting. Consequently, it becomes the focal point of Framton's fear when he sees figures approaching through it, leading him to believe they are ghosts. The open window symbolizes both loss and return, and it is the key prop in Vera's elaborate deception.

I. SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS - Q2

What was Framton Nuttel suffering from?

Solution: Framton Nuttel was suffering from a nervous disorder. He experienced excessive worry and was in a highly agitated state, which led his doctor to recommend a period of rest and quiet in the countryside.

I. SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS - Q3

Why does Framton retire to the countryside?

Solution: Framton retires to the countryside on the explicit advice of his doctor. The doctor believed that a change of scenery and a period of complete rest and relaxation away from his usual environment would help alleviate his nervous condition and mental strain.

I. SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS - Q4

Whom does Framton contact in the rural resort?

Solution: Upon arriving in the rural resort, Framton Nuttel's first point of contact is Mrs. Sappleton's niece, Vera. He had brought a letter of introduction from his sister addressed to Mrs. Sappleton, but it was Vera who greeted him and engaged him in conversation before his aunt appeared.

I. SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS - Q5

What did Framton admit as well as notice in Mrs Sappleton's room?

Solution: In Mrs. Sappleton's room, Framton admitted to Vera that he didn't know anyone in the village and was unsure if Mrs. Sappleton was married or a widow. However, he did notice signs that suggested a male presence in the room, such as hunting paraphernalia or items typically associated with men, which he found puzzling given the circumstances.

Common mistakes

Confusing the story as a genuine mystery rather than a prank.
Misinterpreting Framton's nervousness as the primary focus, overlooking the niece's role.
Failing to recognize the situational irony until the end.
Struggling with the nuances of the niece's deception.

Revision tips

Reread the story, paying close attention to Vera's dialogue and Framton's reactions.
Discuss the instances of irony with classmates to deepen understanding.
Summarize the plot in your own words, focusing on the prank element.
Review the meanings of difficult phrases provided in the solutions.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What was the primary reason Framton Nuttel visited the countryside?

Q2. Who played a practical joke on Framton Nuttel?

Q3. What did Vera tell Framton had happened through the open window?

Q4. Why did Framton rush out of the house in a panic?

Q5. What was the actual situation regarding the open window and the approaching figures?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of 'The Open Window'?

The main theme revolves around deception, imagination, and the use of irony, where a young girl's fabricated story leads to a misunderstanding and a panicked exit by the protagonist.

Why did Framton Nuttel go to the countryside?

Framton Nuttel went to the countryside on his doctor's advice to rest and recover from a nervous disorder and excessive worry.

Is 'The Open Window' a mystery story?

No, it is not a true mystery story. It is a narrative where a young girl plays a practical joke on a stranger by telling a fictional story, creating suspense that is resolved by the actual return of the people she described.

What is the significance of the open window in the story?

The open window is central to the plot. It is the 'exit' through which the aunt's husband and brothers supposedly disappeared and the 'entry' through which they return, leading to Framton's mistaken belief that they are ghosts.

How does the story use irony?

The story employs situational irony. Framton seeks rest in the countryside but ends up more agitated due to the niece's prank. He expects a peaceful retreat but encounters what he believes to be supernatural events.

Who is Vera and what is her role?

Vera is Mrs. Sappleton's niece. She is portrayed as having a 'rarely rare' gift for invention and plays a crucial role by fabricating the story about the open window to entertain herself at Framton's expense.

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