NCERT Class 7 English Poorvi: Chapter 2 — Animals, Birds, and Dr. Dolittle
This chapter, "Animals, Birds, and Dr. Dolittle," from NCERT Class 7 English Poorvi, introduces the concept of wit and humour through the character of Dr. Dolittle. The text begins with pre-reading activities that encourage students to think about pets, animal communication, and understanding animal emotions through body language. The main reading section features an excerpt where Dr. Dolittle, a physician who can talk to animals, is advised by his parrot, Polynesia, and a patient to become an animal doctor. The patient praises Dr. Dolittle's book on cats, highlighting his deep understanding of animal thought processes. Polynesia urges him to focus on animals, who appreciate his skills, rather than people who don't recognize his talent. This chapter aims to spark students' imagination and appreciation for animals and the art of storytelling.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 7 |
| Subject | English |
| Book | Poorvi |
| Chapter | Chapter 2 — Animals, Birds, and Dr. Dolittle |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 3 minutes |
| Word count | 411 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the concept of wit and humour through storytelling.
- Engage with pre-reading activities to stimulate critical thinking about animals.
- Develop empathy and curiosity towards animal communication.
- Learn new vocabulary related to the chapter's themes.
- Appreciate the unique abilities of characters like Dr. Dolittle.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| domestic animal | An animal that has been tamed and kept by humans as a pet or for farm produce. |
| communicate | Share or exchange information, news, or ideas. |
| body language | The process of communicating nonverbally through gestures, facial expressions, etc. |
| physician | A medical practitioner; a doctor. |
| stomach-ache | Pain in the stomach. |
| scholar | A specialist in a particular branch of study, especially the humanities; a distinguished academic. |
| vets | Veterinarians; doctors who treat animals. |
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Practice questions
- What was the Cat's-food-Man's problem? Answer: He had a stomach-ache.
- Who advised Dr. Dolittle to become an animal doctor? Answer: The Cat's-food-Man and the parrot, Polynesia.
- What did the Cat's-food-Man think of Dr. Dolittle's book about cats? Answer: He thought it was wonderful and showed Dr. Dolittle's deep understanding of cats.
- Why did Polynesia want Dr. Dolittle to be an animal doctor? Answer: She believed animals would appreciate his skills more than people, who didn't recognize his talent.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main theme of NCERT Class 7 English Poorvi Chapter 2?
The chapter explores wit and humour through the character of Dr. Dolittle and his interactions with animals and people.
Who is Dr. Dolittle?
Dr. Dolittle is a physician who has the special ability to talk to animals.
What advice does Polynesia give to Dr. Dolittle?
Polynesia advises Dr. Dolittle to give up being a people's doctor and become an animal doctor.
What does the chapter suggest about understanding animals?
It suggests that by observing their body language and understanding their nature, we can better comprehend what animals want to convey.
What is a 'scholar' as mentioned in the chapter?
A scholar is a learned person or someone with deep knowledge in a particular field.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 7 English — Poorvi — Chapter 2 — Animals, Birds, and Dr. Dolittle. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.