NCERT Class 7 English Poorvi: Chapter 1 — The Day the River Spoke
This chapter, 'The Day the River Spoke' from NCERT Class 7 English Poorvi, introduces Jahnavi, a young girl living in a coastal village. The chapter begins with reflective activities encouraging students to observe their surroundings and consider their dreams. Jahnavi is depicted as sad, with tears splashing down her nose. A mysterious, sleepy voice startles her, asking why she is crying. Jahnavi is initially scared as she believes she is alone, but the voice reassures her, implying a connection. The narrative introduces new vocabulary like 'splashed', 'slithered', 'murmuring', 'startled', 'thicket', and 'shrieked'. This chapter aims to foster observation skills, encourage introspection about dreams, and introduce narrative elements through engaging language, preparing students for deeper comprehension and literary analysis within the CBSE curriculum.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 7 |
| Subject | English |
| Book | Poorvi |
| Chapter | Chapter 1 — The Day the River Spoke |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 318 |
Learning outcomes
- Identify and interpret sounds in the environment.
- Reflect on personal dreams and aspirations.
- Understand the narrative structure and character emotions.
- Learn new vocabulary related to nature and emotions.
- Develop observational skills through interactive activities.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| splashed | fell in drops, making a sound |
| slithered | moved by sliding from side to side |
| murmuring | speaking in a low voice |
| startled | surprised |
| thicket | a dense group of bushes and trees |
| shrieked | made a high-pitched sound |
The complete chapter text is read in the official NCERT PDF viewer below (streamed from ncert.nic.in). This page provides NCERT Help study material — summary, vocabulary, practice questions, and FAQs — not a full reproduction of the textbook.
Read chapter online
This PDF is loaded from the official NCERT website (ncert.nic.in). Use the page buttons below to read — download is disabled on NCERT Help.
Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.
Practice questions
- What sounds did Jahnavi hear around her? Answer: Jahnavi heard the sound of a kingfisher and a lizard near the river.
- Who spoke to Jahnavi? Answer: A sleepy, murmuring voice spoke to Jahnavi.
- Why was Jahnavi startled? Answer: Jahnavi was startled because she thought she was alone and heard a voice.
- What does the word 'slithered' mean? Answer: 'Slithered' means moved by sliding from side to side.
Frequently asked questions
What is the title of Chapter 1 in NCERT Class 7 English Poorvi?
The title of Chapter 1 is 'The Day the River Spoke'.
Who is the main character introduced in this chapter?
The main character introduced is Jahnavi, a young girl.
What activities are suggested before reading the chapter?
Students are asked to listen to sounds around them and think about their dreams.
What new vocabulary words are introduced in the chapter?
New vocabulary includes 'splashed', 'slithered', 'murmuring', 'startled', 'thicket', and 'shrieked'.
Where does Jahnavi live?
Jahnavi lives in a coastal village in India.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 7 English — Poorvi — Chapter 1 — The Day the River Spoke. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.