CBSE Class 7 English Poem 17: Dad and the Cat and the Tree NCERT Solutions

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 7 PDF

CBSE Class 7 English Poem 17, 'Dad and the Cat and the Tree', presents a lighthearted and amusing situation where a father attempts to rescue a cat stranded high up in a tree. This poem captures the father's various, often comical, strategies to get the cat down, highlighting his initial confidence which gradually wanes as his plans fail. The narrative unfolds with the cat's indifferent reactions to his efforts and culminates in an unexpected and humorous resolution. The NCERT Solutions for this poem offer a comprehensive analysis, explaining the poem's storyline, the characters' interactions, and the subtle humor woven throughout. They aim to provide students with a clear understanding of the poem's events and the motivations behind the characters' actions, aiding in their comprehension and exam preparation.

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Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 7
SubjectHoneycomb
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
Chapter17. Dad and the Cat and the Tree (Poem)

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for CBSE Class 7 English Poem 17, 'Dad and the Cat and the Tree', offers a step-by-step analysis of the poem. It breaks down the narrative, focusing on Dad's attempts to rescue the cat, his various plans (A, B, C), and their outcomes. The solutions explain the poem's humor, Dad's initial confidence, and the final ironic situation where Dad gets stuck. Key phrases and character interactions are highlighted to enhance comprehension.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the narrative and humor in 'Dad and the Cat and the Tree'.
  • Analyze Dad's character and his overconfidence.
  • Describe the sequence of events and the consequences of Dad's plans.
  • Identify and interpret key phrases used in the poem.
  • Explain the ironic twist at the end of the poem.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Poem Analysis
  • Character Study (Dad, Cat)
  • Narrative Structure
  • Humor and Irony
  • Figurative Language
  • Comprehension Questions
  • Poem Interpretation
  • Dad's Rescue Plans

Important topics

  • Dad's Rescue Plans and Outcomes
  • Character Analysis of Dad's Confidence
  • The Poem's Humorous and Ironic Elements
  • Understanding Key Phrases
  • The Final Situation Reversal

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

Why was Dad sure he wouldn't fall?
Solution: Dad was quite confident that he would not fall from the tree because he considered himself a skilled climber. He believed that climbing a tree was a very simple task, which he described as 'child's play'. This self-assurance made him certain of his success without any risk of falling.

Question 2

Describe Plan A and its consequences.
Solution: In Plan A, Dad decided to use a ladder to reach the cat. He retrieved a ladder from the garden shed and positioned it against the tree. However, as he started to climb or perhaps when he was on it, the ladder slipped unexpectedly. This resulted in Dad falling from the ladder and landing directly onto the flower bed, causing a mess and a failed attempt.

Question 3

Which phrase in the poem expresses Dad's self-confidence best?
Solution: The phrase from the poem that best expresses Dad's high level of self-confidence is: "Child's play, this is!". This statement clearly indicates his belief that climbing the tree and rescuing the cat would be an extremely easy task for him.

Question 4

Plan C was a success. What went wrong then?
Solution: Plan C was indeed successful in its primary objective: freeing the cat from the tree. Dad managed to climb the wall and then leap onto the tree without falling. However, the plan went wrong because the cat, startled by Dad's sudden arrival on the branch, jumped off the tree to safety. This left Dad in the cat's original precarious position on the tree, stuck and unable to get down easily.

Question 5

The cat was very happy to be on the ground. Pick out the phrase used to express this idea.
Solution: The phrase used in the poem to express the cat's happiness and relief upon reaching the ground safely is: "Pleased as punch to be safe and sound". This idiom vividly conveys the cat's contentment and well-being after its ordeal.

Question 6

Describe the Cat and Dad situation in the beginning and at the end of the poem.
Solution: At the beginning of the poem, the situation was that the cat was stuck high up in the tree, and Dad was safely on the ground, observing the predicament. By the end of the poem, the situation had completely reversed. The cat had managed to get down safely and was happy on the ground, while Dad, after his various rescue attempts, found himself stuck on the tree in the cat's place.

Question 7

Why and when did Dad say each of the following?
  1. Fall?
  2. Never mind
  3. Funny joke
  4. Rubbish
Solution:
  1. Fall? Dad said "Fall?" when his wife, concerned about his safety, asked him to be careful and not to fall while he was preparing to climb the tree. He said it in a tone of disbelief or dismissal, implying he wouldn't fall.
  2. Never mind Dad said "Never mind" to his wife's suggestion to call the fire brigade. He dismissed her concern, indicating he had the situation under control and didn't need external help.
  3. Funny joke Dad exclaimed "Funny joke!" when his wife suggested that he might be the one getting stuck in the tree. He found the idea preposterous and amusing at that point, given his confidence.
  4. Rubbish Dad used the word "Rubbish" to dismiss his wife's suggestion that the cat might have jumped down. He was convinced the cat was still stuck and that her idea was nonsensical.

Common mistakes

  • Misinterpreting Dad's initial confidence as arrogance.
  • Confusing the sequence of Dad's rescue plans.
  • Overlooking the humor and irony in the poem's conclusion.

Revision tips

  • Read the poem aloud to appreciate its rhythm and humor.
  • Summarize each of Dad's plans and their results in your own words.
  • Focus on the contrast between Dad's confidence and the actual outcomes.
  • Discuss the poem with classmates to understand different interpretations.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What was Dad's initial reaction to the cat being stuck in the tree?

Q2. What happened during Plan A?

Q3. Which phrase best shows Dad's self-confidence about climbing?

Q4. What was the outcome of Plan C?

Q5. How did the cat feel after being freed?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of the poem 'Dad and the Cat and the Tree'?

The main theme revolves around a father's humorous and ultimately unsuccessful attempt to rescue his cat from a tree, highlighting his overconfidence and the ironic twist at the end.

Why is Dad's situation ironic at the end of the poem?

It's ironic because after all his efforts and failed plans to rescue the cat, Dad himself ends up stuck in the tree, while the cat is safely on the ground.

What does the phrase 'Child's play, this is!' reveal about Dad?

This phrase reveals Dad's extreme self-confidence, bordering on overconfidence, about his climbing abilities. He considers the task of rescuing the cat to be very easy.

How do these NCERT Solutions help Class 7 students?

These solutions provide clear, step-by-step answers to all questions related to the poem, helping students understand the plot, characters, humor, and underlying messages, which aids in exam preparation.

What happened in Plan C of the poem?

In Plan C, Dad climbed the tree successfully. However, when he reached the cat's spot, the cat got scared, jumped down safely, leaving Dad stranded on the tree.

Important links

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