CBSE Class 7 English Chapter 9 - A Tiger in the House NCERT Solutions

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

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 7 PDF

This chapter, 'A Tiger in the House,' from CBSE Class 7 English, delves into the intriguing story of a tiger cub named Timothy and his upbringing by Grandfather. The NCERT Solutions provided here offer detailed explanations and answers to the comprehension questions. Students will explore the early days of Timothy's life, his interactions with the family, and the eventual challenges faced as he grew. These solutions clarify the nuances of the narrative, helping students understand the bond between humans and animals, the responsibilities of pet ownership, and the complexities of wild animal behavior. By working through these questions and answers, students can deepen their comprehension of the text, improve their analytical skills, and prepare effectively for their English exams.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 7
Subject	English
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	Chapter 9- A Tiger in the House

Chapter summary

Chapter 9, 'A Tiger in the House,' focuses on the narrative of a tiger cub, Timothy, raised by his grandfather. The NCERT Solutions cover comprehension checks that explore Timothy's early life, his relationship with the family members, and the eventual decision to move him to a zoo. The solutions help students understand the author's observations on animal behavior and the human-animal bond.

Learning outcomes

Understand the narrative of 'A Tiger in the House'.
Analyze the relationship between Timothy and his human family.
Interpret figurative language and phrases within the text.
Identify key events in Timothy's life as described in the chapter.
Explain the reasons behind Timothy's transfer to the zoo.
Develop comprehension skills for literary texts.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Understanding narrative texts
Character analysis
Interpreting figurative language
Animal behavior
Human-animal relationships
Comprehension skills
Vocabulary enrichment
Story sequencing

Important topics

Interpreting italicized phrases
Analyzing Timothy's changing behavior
Understanding Grandmother's prophecy
The reason for the cage change
The final suggestion about Timothy's licking

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Questions and Solutions

Comprehension Check - Page 60, Question 1

1. "He had the distinction of being the only member of the party to have bagged any game..." The phrase in italics means:

(i) Grandfather was the most distinguished member of the party.

(ii) Grandfather was the only sportsperson in the party.

(iii) Grandfather was the only successful member of the hunting party.

Mark the right answer.

Solution: The phrase "bagged any game" refers to successfully catching or killing prey. Therefore, the italicized phrase means that Grandfather was the only member of the hunting party who managed to catch any game. This indicates his success in hunting, making option (iii) the correct interpretation.

Comprehension Check - Page 60, Question 2

2. Complete the following sentences:

(i) Toto climbed up the curtains when _____

(ii) _____, I became one of the tiger's favourites.

(iii) Timothy had clean habits,

Solution: Here are the completed sentences based on the chapter's narrative:

Toto climbed up the curtains when Timothy lost his temper. This suggests Toto's reaction to Timothy's distress or anger.
One of Timothy's favourite amusements was to stalk anyone who would play with him, and so, when I came to live with Grandfather, I became one of the tiger's favourites. This explains how the narrator became a preferred companion for Timothy.
Timothy had clean habits, and would scrub his face with his paws exactly like a cat. This highlights Timothy's meticulous grooming habits, drawing a comparison to feline behavior.

Comprehension Check - Page 64, Question 1

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 prophecy, based on her understanding of a tiger's predatory nature, was that the tiger would eventually attack and consume Mahmoud, the cook. Therefore, the correct answer is (iii) would one day make a meal of Mahmoud.

Comprehension Check - Page 64, Question 2

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" in this context signifies a shift in Timothy's temperament. As he matured into a young tiger, he became less docile and more wild, exhibiting traits that made him less friendly and potentially more dangerous. Thus, option (iii) accurately describes this change.

Comprehension Check - Page 64, Question 3

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

(i) Timothy and Grandfather went to Lucknow in a special compartment.

(ii) The compartment in which Grandfather and Timothy travelled had no other passenger.

(iii) Timothy and Grandfather travelled in a first class compartment.

(iv) All passengers in the compartment thought that Timothy was a well-fed and civilised tiger.

Solution: Let's evaluate each statement based on the chapter's events:

False. While they had a special arrangement, the text implies it was a first-class compartment, not necessarily a specially designated one just for them, and it was booked to ensure no other passengers were present.
True. Grandfather ensured the compartment was cleared of other passengers to travel safely with Timothy.
True. They travelled in a first-class compartment, which Grandfather had booked entirely for their journey.
False. The other passengers were likely unaware of Timothy's presence until the end, and the situation was managed to prevent panic. The description doesn't suggest they perceived him as 'civilised'.

Comprehension Check - Page 64, Question 4

4. Grandfather suggested that Timothy should be put in another cage. The reason was that:

(i) the tiger had become very bad tempered.

(ii) a leopard in the next cage would constantly rush at Timothy.

(iii) the cage was too small for a full grown tiger.

Solution: Grandfather suggested moving Timothy to another cage because the leopard in the adjacent cage was persistently aggressive towards Timothy. This constant provocation from the leopard was causing distress to Timothy and creating an unsafe environment, leading to the decision to relocate him.

Comprehension Check - Page 64, Question 5

5. The tiger was still licking his arm, with increasing relish. The phrase in italics suggests that Timothy:

(i) was good natured.

(ii) recognised an old friend.

(iii) smelt fresh food.

Solution: The phrase "with increasing relish" implies that Timothy was enjoying the act of licking the arm with great pleasure, similar to how one would enjoy eating something delicious. This suggests that he perceived the arm as smelling like fresh food, triggering his predatory instincts or a strong sensory response related to eating.

Common mistakes

Misinterpreting idiomatic expressions and phrases.
Confusing the sequence of events in Timothy's life.
Incorrectly identifying the reasons for Timothy's behavioral changes.
Struggling to differentiate between literal and implied meanings in the text.

Revision tips

Reread the chapter carefully, paying attention to descriptions of Timothy's behavior.
Focus on understanding the meaning of italicized phrases and their context.
Summarize the key events in Timothy's life chronologically.
Discuss the characters' motivations and reactions with a study partner.
Practice answering the comprehension questions without referring to the solutions initially.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What does the phrase 'bagged any game' imply in the context of the hunting party?

Q2. According to the text, why did Toto climb the curtains?

Q3. What was Grandmother's prediction about the tiger?

Q4. When Timothy was about six months old, what change occurred?

Q5. Why did Grandfather suggest putting Timothy in another cage?

Q6. What did Timothy's licking of the arm suggest?

Frequently asked questions

What is Chapter 9 of CBSE Class 7 English NCERT about?

Chapter 9, 'A Tiger in the House,' narrates the story of a tiger cub named Timothy, who is raised by his grandfather and later faces challenges as he grows.

What kind of questions are covered in these NCERT Solutions?

These solutions provide answers to comprehension check questions, including multiple-choice, sentence completion, true/false, and interpretation of phrases from the chapter.

How do these solutions help students understand the chapter?

The solutions offer clear explanations and interpretations of the text, helping students grasp the plot, character development, and underlying themes of the story.

What is the significance of the phrase 'bagged any game'?

This phrase means successfully catching or killing prey. In the chapter, it highlights that Grandfather was the only successful member of the hunting party.

What does the change in Timothy at six months old signify?

At six months old, Timothy became less friendly and more dangerous, indicating a natural shift in his temperament as he grew into a young tiger.

How can these NCERT Solutions aid in exam preparation?

By providing accurate and detailed answers, these solutions help students review the chapter content, understand key concepts, and practice answering comprehension questions effectively for exams.

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