Maharashtra Board Class 7 English Unit 2 Chapter 2.4 How Doth the Little Busy Bee Poem Solutions

1. Write the meaning of: doth, opening (in the context of the poem), cell.

Question 1. Write the meaning of: doth, opening (in the context of the poem), cell.
Answer:
- Doth: In this poem the meaning of 'doth' is the word of old origin,
- Meaning of doth: Archaic, third person singular present of do. Doth is a form of the word 'do' which is defined as to perform an action. They get back to their nest and relax.
- Opening: Meaning of opening is blooming when a plant or tree blooms. It produces flowers. When a flower blooms, it opens.
- Cell: Meaning of cell is functional and structural unit of life.
In simple words: 'Doth' means 'does' in old English, 'opening' refers to blooming flowers, and 'cell' means a basic unit of life, like a honeycomb cell.

🎯 Exam Tip: Provide precise definitions, distinguishing between the general meaning and the poem's context, especially for words like 'opening'.

2. A parody is playful, comic imitation of a writer's style. A parody is like a verbal cartoon. Compare the original poem and its parody given on page 35 using the following points:

Question 1. Compare the original poem and its parody given on page 35 using the following points:
ℹ️ चित्र व्याख्या (Diagram Explanation): यह एक तालिका है जो 'हाउ डॉथ द लिटिल बिजी बी' (मूल) और 'हाउ डॉथ द लिटिल क्रोकोडाइल' (पैरोडी) के बीच तुलना दर्शाती है। तालिका में 'विषय का चुनाव (एक जानवर)', 'पंक्तियों और छंदों की संख्या', 'समान या समान निर्माण', और 'कविता का लहजा' जैसे तुलनात्मक बिंदु शामिल हैं। छात्र इन बिंदुओं के आधार पर दोनों कविताओं के बीच अंतर कर सकते हैं।
Answer:

In simple words: The comparison shows the original poem about a hardworking bee is motivating, while the parody about a crocodile is sarcastic and funny, despite both having similar structures.

🎯 Exam Tip: When comparing, ensure each point of comparison is directly addressed for both subjects to show a clear understanding of their differences and similarities.

3. Answer the following questions and write in short, why the parody sounds funny.

Question a. What does the bee stand for?
Answer: The bee stands for hard-work and positivity
In simple words: The bee represents diligence and a positive outlook.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on identifying the core symbolic meaning attributed to the bee in the poem.

Question b. What does the crocodile stand for?
Answer: The crocodile stands for laziness, mischief and negativity.
In simple words: The crocodile symbolizes idleness, trickery, and a negative disposition.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly articulate the contrasting traits of the crocodile compared to the bee, emphasizing its negative connotations.

Question c. Why does the bee work hour after hour?
Answer: The bee works hour after hour to store the nectar that it collects from the flowers.
In simple words: The bee works continuously to gather and store nectar for future use.

🎯 Exam Tip: Relate the bee's effort directly to its purpose of collecting and storing nectar, highlighting its industrious nature.

Question d. Why does the crocodile work?
Answer: The crocodile works only to fill its stomach.
In simple words: The crocodile works solely for immediate self-gratification, specifically to eat.

🎯 Exam Tip: Point out the selfish and limited motivation behind the crocodile's actions, contrasting it with the bee's productive labor.

Question e. Is the bee a gentle creature? Is the crocodile gentle?
Answer: The bee is a gentle creature. The crocodile is not gentle.
In simple words: The bee is portrayed as gentle, while the crocodile is depicted as aggressive and not gentle.

🎯 Exam Tip: Answer both parts of the question clearly and concisely, directly stating whether each creature is gentle or not.

4. Desciibe a crocodile in your own words. Which of the words and phrases in the poem will you use In a realistic description? Put a tick mark against the ones you will use.

Question 1. Describe the crocodile in your own words.
Answer: The crocodile is a large reptile. The crocodile to me looks very frightening, ferocious and ugly. The scaly skin of the crocodile makes me feel very creepy. They have different colours which ranges from brown to grey. Some are greenish-brown in colour. They have sharp teeth and claws. They have big strong jaws. They appear to be grinning because of the way their jaw is placed. The tail of the crocodile is very powerful and it helps the crocodile to swim. Crocodiles can live upto 80 years!
- little [ ]
- shining tail [ ]
- golden scale [ ]
- cheerful [ ]
- grin [ ]
- claws [ ]
- gently smiling [ ]
- jaws [ ]
In simple words: Crocodiles are large, frightening reptiles with scaly skin, sharp teeth, strong jaws, and a powerful tail, often appearing to grin due to their jaw structure.

🎯 Exam Tip: Use descriptive adjectives and concrete details to paint a vivid picture of the crocodile based on its physical characteristics and behavior. Ensure the checkboxes are clearly marked based on the poem's context (e.g., 'shining tail' and 'golden scale' are often used in the parody, though the instruction is for a *realistic* description). For this answer, the student is expected to *choose* from the list, hence the `[ ]` are checkboxes to be left as-is for the student to mark.

5. Note that most of the times well-known works are parodied, because people can enjoy the parody better when they know the original. Try to find more examples of parodies in English or other languages.

Question 1. Note that most of the times well-known works are parodied, because people can enjoy the parody better when they know the original. Try to find more examples of parodies in English or other languages.
In simple words: Parodies are often based on famous works because recognizing the original makes the humor of the imitation more effective and enjoyable for the audience.

🎯 Exam Tip: This question assesses your awareness of literary concepts. A good answer would involve citing examples of parodies you have encountered, demonstrating research or broad reading.

6. What do you like better – the original poem or the parody? Why?

Question 1. What do you like better – the original poem or the parody? Why?
Answer: I like the parody. I like the parody because it is funny, interesting and the best part is that it is very easy to memorize.
In simple words: The parody is preferred because its humor, engaging nature, and ease of memorization make it more enjoyable.

🎯 Exam Tip: When expressing a preference, always provide clear, specific reasons to support your choice, linking them to literary elements like humor or memorability.

Answer the following questions.

Question 1. Why does the parody sound funny?
Answer: The parody sounds funny because it is just in complete contrast with 'How doth the little busy bee'. The bee is hard working and positive. She is using every minute fruitfully while in contrast the crocodile is wasting its time doing nothing still manages to keep its stomach full.
In simple words: The parody is funny due to the stark contrast between the industrious bee and the lazy, yet self-satisfied, crocodile, which creates an ironic and humorous effect.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain that the humor in a parody often comes from exaggerating or reversing the traits of the original, creating an amusing discrepancy.

Question 2. Match the nouns with the adjectives used to describe them:
Answer:

In simple words: This matching exercise pairs descriptive words (adjectives) with the nouns they modify, helping to identify key characteristics from the poem.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay close attention to the specific adjectives used for each noun in the poem, as a slight misinterpretation can lead to incorrect matches.

Read the following extract and do the activities.

Answer the questions in one word.

Question i. What does the bee gather all the day?
Answer: honey
In simple words: The bee gathers honey throughout the day.

🎯 Exam Tip: For one-word answers, be direct and precise, avoiding any unnecessary elaboration.

Question ii. How does the bee spread her wax?
Answer: neatly
In simple words: The bee spreads her wax neatly.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify the adverb that accurately describes the bee's action of spreading wax as mentioned in the poem.

Complex Factual Questions:

Question 1. How does the bee build her cell?
Answer: The bee builds her cell skilfully.
In simple words: The bee constructs its cells with great skill and precision.

🎯 Exam Tip: Use an adverb that correctly reflects the quality of the bee's cell-building, as implied by the poem.

Question 2. What food does the bee make?
Answer: The bee makes sweet food.
In simple words: The bee produces sweet food, referring to honey.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the specific output of the bee's labor, which is its characteristic sweet food product.

Poetic Device:

Question 1. Make a list of the rhyming words
Answer: hour - flower; cell - well
In simple words: The rhyming pairs identified are 'hour' and 'flower', and 'cell' and 'well'.

🎯 Exam Tip: To identify rhyming words, listen to the end sounds of lines within a stanza and group those that sound similar.

Question 2. What is the rhyme scheme of the first stanza?
Answer: The rhyme scheme of the first stanza is abcb
In simple words: The first stanza follows an 'abcb' rhyme scheme, where the second and fourth lines rhyme.

🎯 Exam Tip: Assign a letter to the end sound of each line (starting with 'a') and if a sound repeats, use the same letter, forming the stanza's rhyme pattern.

Question 3. What is the rhyme scheme of the second stanza?
Answer: The rhyme scheme of the second stanza is abac
In simple words: The second stanza's rhyme pattern is 'abac', indicating the first and third lines rhyme, and the second and fourth lines do not.

🎯 Exam Tip: Consistently apply the letter assignment method to determine the rhyme scheme for each stanza independently.

Read the following extract and do the activities.

Simple Factual Questions:

Question 1. Complete the web.
ℹ️ चित्र व्याख्या (Diagram Explanation): यह एक वेब आरेख है जो 'मगरमच्छ का वर्णन करने के लिए इस्तेमाल किए गए विशेषणों' को दर्शाता है। केंद्रीय शीर्षक 'मगरमच्छ का वर्णन करने के लिए इस्तेमाल किए गए विशेषण' है, जिससे 'little', 'shining', 'golden' और 'smiling' शब्द शाखाओं के रूप में निकलते हैं। यह आरेख मगरमच्छ के विभिन्न विशेषणों को दृश्य रूप से प्रस्तुत करता है।
Answer: The web diagram would show "Adjectives used for describing the crocodile" at its center, with branches leading to:
- little
- shining
- golden
- smiling
In simple words: The web diagram illustrates the adjectives, such as little, shining, golden, and smiling, that are used to describe the crocodile in the poem.

🎯 Exam Tip: When completing a web diagram, ensure all listed adjectives are connected correctly to the central theme, reflecting their role in describing the subject.

Complex Factual Questions:

Question 1. Which river is mentioned in the above poem?
Answer: River Nile is mentioned in the above poem.
In simple words: The River Nile is explicitly referenced in the poem.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay close attention to geographical references within poems as they can provide important contextual clues.

Question 2. Whom does the crocodile welcome?
Answer: The crocodile welcomes little fishes.
In simple words: The crocodile greets small fish.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify the specific prey or creatures that the crocodile interacts with, as described in the poem.

Question 3. How does the extract portray the crocodile?
Answer: The extract portrays the crocodile as a deceiving, idle reptile.
In simple words: The poem depicts the crocodile as a cunning and lazy creature.

🎯 Exam Tip: Summarize the crocodile's character traits based on its actions and descriptions within the given extract, focusing on its negative attributes.

Question 4. Write the rhyme scheme for the 2nd stanza.
Answer: The rhyme scheme is abab.
In simple words: The second stanza follows an 'abab' rhyme scheme, meaning alternating lines rhyme.

🎯 Exam Tip: Accurately identifying the pattern of end rhymes (e.g., AABB, ABAB, ABCB) is crucial for determining a poem's rhyme scheme.

Question 5. And welcomes little fishes in, With gently smiling jaws! Identify the figure of speech of the above lines and explain.
Answer:
- Personification: The human quality of welcoming and smiling is given to a reptile for better poetic effect.
- Exclamation: The line ends with an exclamatory mark.
In simple words: The lines use personification by giving the crocodile human traits like welcoming and smiling, and also feature exclamation due to the exclamatory mark.

🎯 Exam Tip: When identifying figures of speech, look for non-literal language such as human characteristics given to inanimate objects or animals (personification), or strong emotional expressions (exclamation).

Poetic Device:

Question 1. Pick out the rhyming words from the 1st stanza.
Answer: Crocodile - Nile, tail - scale
In simple words: The rhyming words in the first stanza are 'Crocodile' with 'Nile', and 'tail' with 'scale'.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the words at the end of the lines in the first stanza and identify pairs that have similar ending sounds.

Writing Skills:

Question 1. Create a poem of your own on 'A crocodile'.
Answer: Crocodile with a smile Today I saw a crocodile walking quickly down the isle I nearly missed a heartbeat, when I saw its clawy feet. I thought I saw it cry a tear, This made me really lose my fear. Looking at me it gave a smile Ohh that's the reason I ran away a mile.
In simple words: The poem describes a surprising encounter with a crocodile, focusing on its appearance and an unexpected 'smile' that initially eased fear before prompting flight.

🎯 Exam Tip: For creative writing, use vivid imagery and sensory details to bring your subject to life, and consider a consistent rhythm or simple rhyme scheme.

How Doth The Little Busy Bee Summary In English

In this poem, the poet Isaac Watts tells us about the busy bee who does not waste time but works day in and day out to collect nectar from the flowers and stores it in the hives built by the bees. The poet appreciates the skills of the bees, used in making the cells and sealing them for future use. The poet is trying to tell us that we should take the example of these small creatures and use our time fruitfully. Isaac Watts

The parody "How doth the - a small little crocodile” written be Lewis Caroll tries to poke fun at the poem "How doth the little busy bee". The parody in a humorous way speaks about the idleness and cunningness of a crocodile in contrast to the hardworking bee. The busy bee works all day for its honey but in contrast the crocodile remains idle yet gets his fill.

Introduction:

'How doth the little busy bee' written by Isaac Watts is a poem in which the hard work of the bee is appreciated. A parody is playful comic imitation of a writer's style. A parody deliberately copies someone or something in an amusing way. It may be simply a humorous imitation of a well-known or popular work.

Glossary:

1. doth (v) - does (old English)
2. opening (adj) - blooming
3. cell (n) a small hexagonal compartment in a honeycomb
4. labours (v) - works hard
5. grin (v) - to smile with lips parted to reveal the teeth
6. claws (n) - curved pointed nail on each of the foot of a mammal, reptile or bird
7. scale (n) - small flat hard and bony covering the skin, particularly of a fish or reptile
8. jaw (n) - the part of the face below the mouth
9. skilfully (adv) - cleverly.
10. cheerfully (adv) - happily.
11. gather (v) - to collect.
12. parody (n) - a humorous way of writing in which the original work of another writer is copied in an exaggerated way.