CBSE Class 7 English An Alien Hand Chapter 2: Bringing up Kari NCERT Solutions

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

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 7 PDF

This chapter, 'Bringing up Kari,' from the CBSE Class 7 English textbook 'An Alien Hand,' delves into the fascinating experience of raising an elephant calf named Kari. The NCERT Solutions provide detailed answers to the exercises, exploring Kari's early life, his enclosure, his playful nature, and the bond he shares with his caretaker. Students will learn about the specific training methods used, such as commands for sitting and walking, and the crucial 'master call.' The solutions also highlight Kari's mischievous yet endearing habits, like stealing bananas, and his intelligence in saving a drowning boy. These solutions offer a clear understanding of the chapter's narrative and themes, making them an excellent resource for exam preparation and a deeper appreciation of the human-animal relationship.

Home

Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 7
Subject	An Alien Hand
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	2. Bringing up Kari

Chapter summary

Chapter 2, 'Bringing up Kari,' focuses on the early life and training of an elephant calf. The NCERT Solutions cover aspects like Kari's living enclosure, his enjoyment of river baths, the challenges in finding suitable food, and his playful interactions. It details the training commands and the vital 'master call.' The solutions also touch upon Kari's intelligence and his role in a rescue, offering insights into the responsibilities and rewards of caring for such a magnificent animal.

Learning outcomes

Understand the responsibilities involved in raising an elephant calf.
Describe the specific needs and behaviors of young elephants.
Explain the training methods and commands used for elephants.
Analyze the bond between humans and animals through Kari's story.
Identify the importance of the 'master call' for an elephant's safety.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Raising an elephant calf
Kari's enclosure and living conditions
Elephant's enjoyment of baths
Diet and feeding of elephants
Training commands for elephants (sit, walk)
The 'master call' and its significance
Kari's intelligence and helpfulness
Human-animal relationships
Descriptive writing about animals
Understanding narrative texts

Important topics

Training commands and the 'master call'
Kari's behavior and intelligence
The human-elephant bond
Description of Kari's daily life
Significance of the enclosure and bath

PDF preview

Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.

Loading document …

Page of

Loading page …

Questions and Solutions

Q1

The enclosure in which Kari lived had a thatched roof that lay on thick tree stumps. Examine the illustration of Kari's pavilion on page 8 and say why it was built that way.

Solution: The illustration of Kari's pavilion shows that its thatched roof was supported by four thick tree stumps. This construction method was chosen to ensure that Kari, the elephant, had ample space to move around freely and comfortably inside the enclosure without being restricted by the structure.

Q2

Did Kari enjoy his morning bath in the river? Give a reason for your answer.

Solution: Yes, Kari thoroughly enjoyed his morning bath in the river. The text describes how he would lie down on the sandy bank, allowing the narrator to scrub him with clean river sand for about an hour. Following this, he would spend a considerable amount of time playing in the water. Upon emerging, his skin would gleam like ebony, and he would express his delight with squeals as the narrator poured water down his back.

Q3

Finding good twigs for Kari took a long time. Why?

Solution: Finding suitable twigs for Kari was a time-consuming task because the narrator aimed to select the most delicate and tender ones, often having to climb various types of trees. Furthermore, to cut these twigs cleanly without damaging them, the narrator's hatchet needed to be exceptionally sharp. The process of sharpening the hatchet itself would take about half an hour, contributing significantly to the overall time taken.

Q4

Why did Kari push his friend into the stream?

Solution: Kari pushed his friend, who was the narrator, into the stream because he noticed a boy lying motionless at the bottom of the river. Kari, understanding the situation, acted to alert his friend and prompt him to rescue the apparently drowning boy.

Q5

Kari was like a baby. What are the main points of comparison?

Solution: The comparison of Kari to a baby stems from the fact that, much like a human infant, he required careful training and guidance. If Kari was not taught to be good or was not corrected when he was naughty, he would often engage in more mischief than usual. This highlights his need for consistent supervision and discipline to ensure good behavior.

Q6

Kari helped himself to all the bananas in the house without anyone noticing it. How did he do it?

Solution: Kari managed to take bananas from the house undetected by using his trunk. Large plates of fruit were often placed on a table near a window in the dining room. Kari would discreetly extend his trunk through this window, pick up the bananas from the plate, and then consume them in his pavilion, away from the notice of the household.

Q7

Kari learnt the commands to sit and to walk. What were the instructions for each command?

Solution: To instruct Kari to sit down, the narrator would say the word 'Dhat' while gently pulling his ear. To prompt Kari to walk, the narrator would use the command 'Mali' and simultaneously pull his trunk forward, guiding him to move.

Q8

What is "the master call"? Why is it the most important signal for an elephant to learn?

Solution: The master call is a distinctive, unusual sound that resembles a combination of a snake's hiss and a tiger's growl, made directly into an elephant's ear. It is the most critical signal for an elephant to learn because it serves as an emergency measure. If an elephant and its companion are lost in the jungle with no clear path, giving the master call prompts the elephant to pull down trees in front of it, one by one, using its trunk. This action serves two vital purposes: it frightens away other potentially dangerous animals, and it clears a direct path leading back to safety, such as one's home.

Common mistakes

Confusing the purpose of Kari's enclosure.
Underestimating the time and effort required for elephant training.
Misinterpreting Kari's actions, such as pushing his friend into the water.
Not understanding the significance of the 'master call' beyond simple obedience.

Revision tips

Reread the chapter to recall Kari's daily routine and interactions.
Focus on understanding the 'why' behind Kari's actions and training.
Pay close attention to the descriptions of Kari's enclosure and bath.
Memorize the commands and the 'master call' and their meanings.
Discuss Kari's intelligence and loyalty as depicted in the chapter.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Why was Kari's enclosure built with a thatched roof on thick tree stumps?

Q2. What did Kari do after his morning bath in the river?

Q3. Why did finding good twigs for Kari take a long time?

Q4. What was the reason Kari pushed his friend into the stream?

Q5. What does the comparison of Kari to a baby imply?

Q6. How did Kari steal bananas without being noticed?

Q7. What is the command 'Dhat' used for?

Q8. What is the 'master call' and why is it important?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of the chapter 'Bringing up Kari'?

The main theme is the experience of raising and training an elephant calf named Kari, highlighting the responsibilities, challenges, and the unique bond that develops between the caretaker and the animal.

How did Kari help his caretaker in the river?

Kari showed his intelligence and helpfulness by pushing his caretaker into the stream to save a drowning boy, demonstrating his understanding of danger and his protective instincts.

What are the commands mentioned for training Kari?

The chapter mentions two commands: 'Dhat' to make Kari sit down (accompanied by pulling his ear) and 'Mali' to make him walk (accompanied by pulling his trunk forward).

Why is the 'master call' considered the most important signal for an elephant?

The 'master call' is crucial because it enables the elephant to clear a path through the jungle by pulling down trees, which is vital for the safety of both the elephant and its caretaker if they get lost.

How does the chapter compare Kari to a baby?

Kari is compared to a baby because, like a human infant, he needed to be trained to be good and could get into mischief if not properly guided or disciplined.

What does Kari's ability to steal bananas reveal about him?

It reveals Kari's intelligence, dexterity (using his trunk), and perhaps a bit of his mischievous nature, as he found a way to get extra food without being caught.

Content reviewed by the NCERT Help team. Editorial Team and update policy

NCERT Solutions PDF PDF on NCERT Help. URL unchanged for search indexing.