CBSE Class 7 English An Alien Hand Chapter 9: A Tiger in the House NCERT Solutions

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 7 PDF

CBSE Class 7 English An Alien Hand Chapter 9, 'A Tiger in the House,' unfolds the charming tale of Timothy, a tiger cub adopted by a family. This NCERT solution explores the narrative, focusing on Timothy's early days, his bond with the family, and his transformation as he matures. We examine the grandmother's prediction about Timothy and the reasons for his eventual relocation. The solutions offer clear explanations for comprehension questions, character analysis, and key plot developments. They also clarify challenging vocabulary, ensuring students fully grasp the story's essence and are well-prepared for their assessments. The chapter highlights the unique relationship between humans and wild animals and the complexities involved.

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Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 7
SubjectEnglish An Alien Hand
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 9

Chapter summary

Chapter 9, 'A Tiger in the House,' presents the story of Timothy, a tiger cub adopted by a family. These NCERT Solutions focus on comprehension, explaining the narrative arc from Timothy's playful cub days to his more dangerous adolescent phase. The solutions cover key events like Timothy's interactions with the narrator and cook, Grandmother's foreboding, and the journey to Lucknow. They aim to enhance understanding of the text's details and underlying themes.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the narrative of 'A Tiger in the House'.
  • Identify and explain the significance of key phrases and events in the story.
  • Analyze the character development of Timothy the tiger.
  • Answer comprehension questions accurately based on the text.
  • Differentiate between literal and implied meanings in the text.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Understanding narrative texts
  • Character analysis (Timothy)
  • Vocabulary and phrases
  • Story comprehension
  • Predicting outcomes
  • Animal behavior
  • Narrative structure
  • Reading comprehension skills

Important topics

  • Character development of Timothy
  • Meaning of key phrases
  • Grandmother's prophecy
  • Timothy's behavioral changes
  • Narrative comprehension

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Questions and Solutions

Comprehension Check I

1. "He had the distinction of being the only member of the party to have bagged any game..."

The phrase in italics means:

  1. Grandfather was the most distinguished member of the party.
  2. Grandfather was the only sportsperson in the party.
  3. Grandfather was the only successful member of the hunting party.

Mark the right answer.

Solution: The phrase "bagged any game" refers to successfully hunting and capturing an animal. Therefore, the correct meaning is that Grandfather was the only one in the hunting party who managed to hunt and catch an animal. This highlights his success in hunting, not necessarily his overall distinction or being the sole sportsperson.

Answer: Grandfather was the only successful member of the hunting party.

Comprehension Check I

2. Complete the following sentences.

  1. Toto climbed up the curtains when
  2. I became one of the tiger's favourites.
  3. Timothy had clean habits,
Solution: These sentences describe specific events and characteristics of Timothy the tiger cub.
  1. Toto climbed up the curtains when he pulled the young tiger by the tail and Timothy lost his temper. This indicates that Timothy reacted aggressively when provoked by having his tail pulled.
  2. I became one of the tiger's favourites because one of Timothy's favourite amusements was to stalk anyone who would play with him. When the narrator came to live with Grandfather, he became a playmate for Timothy.
  3. Timothy had clean habits, and would scrub his face with his paws exactly like a cat. This highlights his grooming behaviour, which was similar to that of a domestic cat.

Comprehension Check II

1. Grandmother's prophecy was that the tiger

(i) would prefer Mahmoud's bed to sleep in.

(ii) and the cook would disappear together from the house.

(iii) would one day make a meal of Mahmoud.

Mark the right answer.

Solution: Grandmother's statement was a premonition based on her understanding of a tiger's nature. She feared that the tiger would eventually pose a danger to the household staff, particularly the cook.

Answer: (iii) would one day make a meal of Mahmoud

Comprehension Check II

2. When Timothy was about six months old, a change came over him.

The phrase in italics means that

(i) Timothy had grown to his full size.

(ii) Timothy grew more friendly.

(iii) Timothy grew less friendly, in fact more dangerous.

Solution: The phrase "a change came over him" signifies a transformation in Timothy's temperament. As he matured from a cub into a young tiger, his behaviour shifted from playful and docile to more wild and potentially aggressive, indicating he was becoming less predictable and more dangerous.

Answer: (iii) Timothy grew less friendly, in fact more dangerous.

Comprehension Check II

3. Write 'True' or 'False' against each of the following statements.

  1. Timothy and Grandfather went to Lucknow in a special compartment.
  2. The compartment in which Grandfather and Timothy travelled had no other passenger.
  3. Timothy and Grandfather travelled in a first-class compartment.
  4. All passengers in the compartment thought that Timothy was a well-fed and civilised tiger.
Solution: Let's evaluate each statement based on the story's details about Timothy's journey.
  1. False. The text implies they travelled in a first-class compartment, not necessarily a 'special' one designated solely for them, though it was arranged for Timothy's comfort.
  2. True. The narrative suggests that Grandfather and Timothy had the compartment to themselves, which was arranged to ensure Timothy's safety and comfort during the journey.
  3. True. The story indicates they travelled in a first-class compartment, which Grandfather had to book for Timothy.
  4. False. The text does not state that other passengers were present to form an opinion. Furthermore, the context suggests the compartment was kept separate for Timothy, implying other passengers were not interacting with him to deem him 'civilised'.

Common mistakes

  • Misinterpreting idiomatic expressions or phrases.
  • Confusing the sequence of events in Timothy's life.
  • Incorrectly identifying the reasons for Timothy's behavioral changes.
  • Failing to recall specific details about Timothy's journey.

Revision tips

  • Reread the chapter carefully to grasp the timeline of events.
  • Focus on understanding the meaning of phrases like 'bagged any game' and 'change came over him'.
  • Pay attention to Grandmother's predictions and their outcomes.
  • Practice answering the comprehension questions to test your understanding of the story's details.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What does the phrase 'bagged any game' imply about Grandfather?

Q2. Why did Timothy climb the curtains?

Q3. What was one of Timothy's favourite amusements?

Q4. What habit did Timothy share with a cat?

Q5. What was Grandmother's prophecy about the tiger?

Q6. What does the phrase 'a change came over him' mean in relation to Timothy at six months old?

Frequently asked questions

What is Chapter 9 of CBSE Class 7 English (An Alien Hand) about?

Chapter 9, 'A Tiger in the House,' tells the story of a tiger cub named Timothy and his experiences growing up with a family, focusing on his interactions and changing nature.

What does the phrase 'bagged any game' mean in the context of the chapter?

It means that Grandfather was the only person in the hunting party who successfully hunted and caught an animal.

How did Timothy's behavior change as he grew older?

As Timothy grew older, he became less friendly and more dangerous, losing his playful cub nature and exhibiting wilder tendencies.

What was Grandmother's prediction about Timothy?

Grandmother predicted that Timothy would eventually harm the cook, stating he would 'make a meal of Mahmoud'.

How do these NCERT Solutions help students?

These solutions provide clear, rewritten answers to comprehension questions, helping students understand the story's plot, characters, and vocabulary, aiding in exam preparation.

Important links

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