GSEB Class 7 English Solutions Chapter 1 The Ganga

Exercise

Question 1. Choose (a), (b) or (c) and complete the sentences.
(1) The Ganga's source Is high up in the Himalayan mountains.
(a) the Bay of Bengal
(b) high up in the Himalayan mountains
(c) the hills
Answer: (b) high up in the Himalayan mountains
In simple words: Pick the choice that finishes the given sentence. This sentence says the Ganga starts high in the Himalayan peaks, so we choose that option.

Exam Tip: Always read the full sentence and all options carefully to ensure you select the best fit, even if part of the answer seems embedded.

Question 1. (2) The angry old man burnt all the king's sons, except Bhagirath.
(a) all the king's sons, except Bhagirath
(b) all the king's sons
(c) Bhagirath
Answer: (b) all the king's sons
In simple words: The old man was very mad and burned *all* of Sagara's boys to ashes, leaving no one out.

Exam Tip: Pay close attention to details in the story; the passage states "Sagara's all sons to ashes," indicating all of them were burnt.

Question 1. (3) King Sagara sent all his sons, except Bhagirath to look for his horse.
(a) Bhagirath
(b) all his sons, except Bhagirath
(c) all his sons
Answer: (b) all his sons, except Bhagirath
In simple words: King Sagara sent his boys to find the horse, but Bhagirath stayed behind with him.

Exam Tip: Note exceptions in the story, such as who was sent and who remained, as these are often tested.

Question 1. (4) At the end of the story, the Ganga was a river only on the earth.
(a) only in heaven
(b) only on the earth
(c) on the earth as well as in heaven
Answer: (b) only on the earth
In simple words: After the events in the story, the river Ganga existed only on the planet earth.

Exam Tip: Understand the final state or outcome described in the story to correctly answer questions about the conclusion.

Question 1. (5) Give another name for the river Ganga The Bhagirathi.
(a) The Revati
(b) The Saraswati
(c) The Bhagirathi
Answer: (c) The Bhagirathi
In simple words: The Ganga is also known by the name Bhagirathi because of Bhagirath's efforts.

Exam Tip: Remember alternative names or titles given to characters or elements in the narrative, as these are common recall points.

Question 2. Collect Other Such Stories About the River Ganga and Share Them With Your Class.

Exam Tip: Engaging with such activities can deepen your understanding of the cultural significance of the Ganga river.

Let's Learn More

1. Read the Following Paragraphs From the Lesson.

Rivers are the lifeline for mankind. There are many great rivers in our country, India. The Ganga is the most important and the greatest river among them. The Ganga is 2480 kilometres long. The source of the Ganga is in the Himalayan mountains. It comes down through the hills and flows into the Bay of Bengal.

Answer the Following Questions.

Question 1. Which river is the lifeline for mankind ?
Answer: The river Ganga is the lifeline for human beings.
In simple words: The Ganga river is considered crucial for human life.

Exam Tip: When asked a direct question from the passage, ensure your answer directly addresses the query using information given.

Question 2. How long is the river Ganga ?
Answer: The river Ganga is 2480 kilometres in length.
In simple words: The Ganga river stretches for 2480 kilometers.

Exam Tip: Always note specific facts like measurements and numbers when reading, as these are frequently questioned.

Question 3. Where is the source of the Ganga ?
Answer: The source of the Ganga is located in the Himalayan mountains.
In simple words: The Ganga river begins in the high Himalayan peaks.

Exam Tip: Identifying key geographical details like origins and destinations is important for comprehension questions.

Answer the Questions Selecting the Correct Options.

Question 1. ............ are the lifeline for mankind.
(a) Seas
(b) Waters
(c) Rivers
(d) Streams
Answer: (c) Rivers
In simple words: Rivers are very important for people to live and thrive.

Exam Tip: Refer back to the initial sentence of the passage for this general statement about rivers.

Question 2. The Ganga is ............ kilometres long.
(a) 2480
(b) 2408
(c) 4280
(d) 4208
Answer: (a) 2480
In simple words: The Ganga river has a total length of 2480 kilometers.

Exam Tip: Be precise with numerical facts; a small digit change can make your answer incorrect.

Question 3. The Ganga flows into the
(a) Indian Ocean
(b) Arabian Sea
(c) Yamuna
(d) Bay of Bengal
Answer: (d) Bay of Bengal
In simple words: The Ganga river eventually empties its water into the Bay of Bengal.

Exam Tip: Know the entry and exit points of rivers or other geographical features mentioned in the text.

(2) Long ago, there was a king. His name was Sagara. He had a beautiful horse. He wanted to give his horse as a present to the gods. One day, a thief took away the horse. The king was very unhappy. He sent all his sons to search for it. But he asked one of his sons named Bhagirath to stay with him.

Answer the Following Questions.

Question 1. What did the king want to do with the horse ?
Answer: The king desired to give the horse as a gift to his gods.
In simple words: The king wished to offer his horse as a present to the gods.

Exam Tip: When answering "what" questions, identify the main action or object related to the subject.

Question 2. Why was the king unhappy ?
Answer: The king was unhappy because a thief carried away his horse.
In simple words: The king felt sad because someone stole his horse.

Exam Tip: "Why" questions require you to identify the cause or reason behind an event or emotion.

Question 3. Who stayed with the king ?
Answer: Bhagirath remained with the king.
In simple words: Bhagirath stayed by the king's side.

Exam Tip: Note specific character actions and relationships to answer questions about who did what or who was where.

Answer the Questions Selecting the Correct Options.

Question 1. Which word in the passage means 'gift'?
(a) beautiful
(b) search
(c) present
(d) stay
Answer: (c) present
In simple words: The word 'present' in the passage means a 'gift'.

Exam Tip: Vocabulary questions require you to find synonyms or definitions within the context of the passage.

Question 2. The king was unhappy because...
(a) he had a beautiful horse.
(b) a thief took away his horse.
(c) gods took away his horse.
(d) his sons took away his horse.
Answer: (b) a thief took away his horse.
In simple words: The king became sad after a thief stole his horse.

Exam Tip: Be careful to identify the *exact* reason given in the text, not just a similar-sounding one.

(3) Sagara's sons searched for the horse all over the land, but they could not find it anywhere. So they decided to search for it inside the earth. They dug a deep, deep hole. At last, they came to a great sea. There they saw a very old man. Sagara's sons disturbed that old man. So he became very angry. He became so angry that he burnt Sagara's all sons to ashes.

Answer the Following Questions.

Question 1. What did the old man do ?
Answer: The old man burned Sagara's sons to ashes.
In simple words: The old man turned Sagara's children into ash.

Exam Tip: Focus on the direct action performed by the character when asked "what" they did.

Question 2. Why was the old man angry?
Answer: The old man was angry because Sagara's sons disturbed him.
In simple words: The old man got mad because Sagara's children bothered him.

Exam Tip: Identify the immediate cause of a character's emotion, as stated in the narrative.

Question 3. Could the sons find the horse on land ?
Answer: No, the sons could not locate the horse on land.
In simple words: No, the boys didn't find the horse on the ground.

Exam Tip: For 'yes/no' questions, state the answer clearly first, then provide a brief supporting detail.

Answer the Questions Selecting the Correct Options.

Question 1. Sagara's sons could not find the horse
(a) inside the earth
(b) on the land
(c) in the sea
(d) in the sky
Answer: (b) on the land
In simple words: Sagara's children looked for the horse everywhere on the ground but didn't find it.

Exam Tip: Differentiate between where they *searched initially* (on land) and where they *eventually found* (inside the earth/near the sea).

Question 2. Sagara's sons ............ the old man.
(a) helped
(b) talked to
(c) disturbed
(d) did not disturb
Answer: (c) disturbed
In simple words: Sagara's sons bothered the old man, making him angry.

Exam Tip: Understand the interaction between characters and its consequence to pick the correct verb.

(4) Now, only the water of the Ganga could give them all a new life. But, at that time, Ganga was not on the earth. She was in heaven. Bhagirath was alone at home. He prayed to the river Ganga to come down on the earth and bring his brothers to life again. Ganga was happy to be on the earth, but was afraid that her fall from heaven to earth would break the earth.

Answer the Following Questions.

Question 1. What could give the sons a new life ?
Answer: The water of the Ganga could provide the sons with a new life.
In simple words: Only the Ganga's water had the power to bring the boys back to life.

Exam Tip: Identify the specific element or action that provides a solution or outcome in the story.

Question 2. Where was Ganga ?
Answer: Ganga was in heaven.
In simple words: Ganga was up in the sky, in heaven.

Exam Tip: Note the location of key figures or elements at different points in the narrative.

Question 3. What did Bhagirath pray to Ganga ?
Answer: Bhagirath prayed to Ganga to descend to the earth and restore his brothers' lives.
In simple words: Bhagirath asked Ganga to come down to earth and make his brothers alive again.

Exam Tip: Pay attention to the purpose or goal of a character's actions, such as prayers or requests.

Question 4. Ganga was afraid that her fall would
Answer: Ganga was afraid that her fall would break the earth.
In simple words: Ganga worried that falling from heaven would shatter the planet.

Exam Tip: Understand the fears or concerns of characters and the reasons behind them.

Answer the Questions Selecting the Correct Options.

Question 1. The Ganga was ............
(a) on land
(b) inside the earth
(c) in heaven
(d) in the sky
Answer: (c) in heaven
In simple words: Before Bhagirath's prayers, the Ganga river resided in heaven.

Exam Tip: Identify the initial location or state of an element before any significant events occur in the story.

Question 2. ............ prayed to Ganga.
(a) Bhagirath
(b) Sagara
(c) The old man
(d) The sons
Answer: (a) Bhagirath
In simple words: Bhagirath was the one who asked Ganga for help.

Exam Tip: Clearly identify which character performed a specific action in the story.

Question 3. Ganga was happy to be ............
(a) In heaven
(b) on earth
(c) in sea
(d) in the sky
Answer: (b) on earth
In simple words: Ganga was glad about the idea of coming down to the earth.

Exam Tip: Understand character emotions and their reasons for being happy or sad in the narrative.

Question 4. Ganga was afraid that her fall from heaven would ............
(a) break the land
(b) break the Himalayas
(c) break the sky
(d) break the earth
Answer: (d) break the earth
In simple words: Ganga feared that if she dropped from heaven, she would damage the entire planet.

Exam Tip: Pay attention to the specific consequence or outcome that a character fears.

(5) Bhagirath requested Lord Shiva to help Ganga. Lord Shiva agreed. He asked Ganga to flow down to the earth through his long hair. In this way, Ganga could come down gently to the earth. The Ganga flowed over ashes of Sagara's sons and they all came to life again. Bhagirath prayed to Ganga to flow on the earth. So she is also known as 'Bhagirathi'.

Answer the Following Questions.

Question 1. What did Bhagirath request Lord Shiva ?
Answer: Bhagirath requested Lord Shiva to assist Ganga.
In simple words: Bhagirath asked Lord Shiva to give Ganga some help.

Exam Tip: When a character seeks help, identify from whom they seek it and for what specific purpose.

Question 2. What did Lord Shiva ask Ganga to do ?
Answer: Lord Shiva asked Ganga to flow down to the earth through his long hair.
In simple words: Lord Shiva told Ganga to come to earth by flowing through his long hair.

Exam Tip: Focus on the specific instructions or conditions given by one character to another.

Question 3. When Ganga flowed over the ashes of Sagara's sons,....
Answer: When Ganga flowed over the ashes of Sagara's sons, they all came to life again.
In simple words: As Ganga's water touched the ashes of Sagara's boys, they became alive once more.

Exam Tip: Understand the direct consequence or miraculous outcome of key events in mythical stories.

Answer the Questions Selecting the Correct Options.

Question 1. Bhagirath requested ............ to help Ganga.
(a) Lord Vishnu
(b) Lord Brahma
(c) Lord Shiva
(d) Lord Ganesh
Answer: (c) Lord Shiva
In simple words: Bhagirath sought assistance from Lord Shiva to aid Ganga.

Exam Tip: Identify the specific deity or powerful figure involved in helping solve a problem in the narrative.

Question 2. Ganga came down ............ to the earth.
(a) gently
(b) forcefully
(c) quickly
(d) slowly
Answer: (a) gently
In simple words: Ganga descended softly to the planet earth.

Exam Tip: Look for adverbs or descriptive words that describe the manner in which an action was performed.