GSEB Class 7 English Honeycomb Chapter 1 The Squirrel Solutions

Working With The Poem

Question 1. Why does the poet say the squirrel “wore a question mark for tail” ? Draw a squirrel, or find a picture of a squirrel sitting on the ground. How would you describe its tail ?
Answer: The poet states that the squirrel 'wore a question mark for a tail' because its tail is curved in an arc that looks just like a question mark.
In simple words: The poet says the squirrel's tail looked like a question mark because it was curved that way.

Exam Tip: When describing visual elements from a poem, connect the poet's description directly to the image or object mentioned.

Question 2. Do we usually say that an animal 'wears' a tail ? What do we say ? (Think: Does an animal wear a coat ? Consult a dictionary if you like, and find out how 'wear' is used in different ways.)
Answer: We typically mention that an animal 'has' certain traits instead of saying 'wears'. The poet, however, uses the term 'wear' to give the squirrel a unique character. The dictionary meaning of 'wear' often means an outer layer, like clothes.
In simple words: We usually say an animal 'has' a tail, not 'wears' it. The poet used 'wear' to make the squirrel seem more like a person. 'Wear' means to have something on your body, like clothing.

Exam Tip: Pay attention to the poet's word choice. Sometimes, common words are used in unique ways to create a specific effect or personify an animal.

Question 3. "He liked to tease and play.” Who is teasing whom ? How ?
Answer: The poet enjoyed teasing and playing with the squirrel. Whenever the poet approached the squirrel, it would quickly move off in another direction.
In simple words: The poet was teasing the squirrel. He would get close, and the squirrel would run away in a different direction.

Exam Tip: Identify the characters involved in the action and describe their interaction as explained in the poem.

GSEB Class 7 English The Squirrel Additional Important Questions And Answers

Select the most appropriate options as answers and complete the following sentences:

Question 1. The squirrel's tail looks like
(a) an overcoat.
(b) a question mark.
(c) an exclamation mark.
(d) None of the options
Answer: (b) a question mark.
In simple words: The squirrel's tail is bent in a way that resembles a question mark.

Exam Tip: Recall the specific imagery used by the poet to describe the squirrel's features.

Question 2. The squirrel is as described in the poem.
(a) naughty
(b) playful
(c) shy,
(d) Both (a) and (b)
Answer: (d) Both (a) and (b)
In simple words: The poem shows the squirrel as both mischievous and full of fun.

Exam Tip: When evaluating character traits, consider all descriptions of the animal's behavior in the poem.

Question 3. When the poet went around the tree, the squirrel
(a) went the other way.
(b) sat up straight to eat a nut.
(c) raised its head.
(d) started playing with us.
Answer: (a) went the other way.
In simple words: When the poet moved around the tree, the squirrel always moved in the opposite direction.

Exam Tip: Remember the specific interaction between the poet and the squirrel as described in the lines of the poem.

Answer The Following Questions In One Sentence Only:

Question 1. What is being compared to a gray overcoat ?
Answer: The squirrel's body is likened to a grey overcoat in the poem.
In simple words: The squirrel's grey body is compared to a grey overcoat.

Exam Tip: Identify the specific objects or creatures being compared in poetic analogies.

Question 2. Discuss the posture of the squirrel as discussed in line 3 of the poem.
Answer: The squirrel 'sat upright' to consume a nut. Other times, the squirrel normally sits and moves with a curved back.
In simple words: The squirrel sat straight up to eat a nut, but usually it sits and runs with a bent back.

Exam Tip: Refer directly to the line number mentioned to ensure accuracy in your answer about the posture.

Question 3. What did the squirrel do if someone came too close to his tree?
Answer: The squirrel would quickly move off in the other direction if anyone approached too near its tree.
In simple words: If someone got too close to its tree, the squirrel would run away in the opposite direction.

Exam Tip: Describe the squirrel's reaction to human presence as depicted by the poet.

Answer The Following Questions In Two To Three Sentences Each:

Question 1. Having observed the squirrels around us, can we say that a squirrel is a fast paced animal ?
Answer: Yes, from what we see of squirrels nearby, we can state that a squirrel is a quick-moving creature. They seldom stay motionless, apart from when they are chewing nuts. Typically, we observe squirrels darting from one spot to another with much vigor.
In simple words: Yes, squirrels are fast animals. They usually run quickly, only stopping to eat nuts. They move with great energy.

Exam Tip: Base your answer on general observations of squirrels and connect them to the poem's context.

Question 2. What does the poem say about the poet's choice of subject?
Answer: This poem shows the poet's wish to write about common things we see every day. A squirrel is a very usual animal that is all around us. Still, few of us would consider it a strong topic for a writer. The poet simply talks about the many sides of the squirrel, which everyone has likely noticed.
In simple words: The poem shows the poet's desire to write about everyday things. A squirrel is common, but most people don't think it's an important subject. The poet simply describes different parts of the squirrel that we all might have seen.

Exam Tip: Explain how the poet finds beauty or interest in an ordinary subject like a squirrel, making it suitable for poetry.

Read The Following Stanzas And Answer The Questions Given Below Them:

Question 1. He wore a question mark for tail, An overcoat of gray, He sat up straight to eat a nut.
Answer:
(1) The curved arch of the squirrel's tail is called a 'question mark'.
(2) The grey, striped shade of the squirrel's fur is compared to a grey overcoat.
(3) The squirrel is seated on the ground and is consuming a nut.
In simple words: The squirrel's bent tail looks like a question mark. Its grey striped body is like a grey coat. It is sitting on the ground, eating a nut.

Exam Tip: Break down the stanza line by line to answer each sub-question accurately, focusing on the specific imagery.

Question 2. He liked to tease and play, And if we ran around his tree, He went the other way.
Answer:
(1) Teasing is the poet's way of playing with the squirrel.
(2) playful
(3) the squirrel
In simple words: The poet's way of teasing is to play with the squirrel. The squirrel is playful. The squirrel went the other way.

Exam Tip: For multiple-choice questions within a stanza, ensure your choice aligns with the actions and descriptions provided in the lines.

The Squirrel Summary In English

The Squirrel Summary:

In the poem 'The Squirrel', the poet Mildred Bowers Armstrong talks about a squirrel she sees in her garden. The poet explains how the squirrel, with its grey fur, sits straight up on a tree branch to eat a nut. The squirrel's tail appears like a question mark because of its curved form. This cheerful and active squirrel enjoys playing with the poet and her companions. If they ran near the tree, the squirrel would always dart to the other part of the tree. The poet describes the squirrel's nature as innocently mischievous and fond of teasing anyone who approaches it.
In simple words: The poem is about a playful squirrel in a garden. It has grey fur and a tail like a question mark. It sits up to eat nuts and likes to tease people by running away when they get close.

Exam Tip: When summarizing, include the main character, key physical descriptions, and the central behaviors or interactions described in the poem.