Samacheer Kalvi Class 7 English Solutions Term 2 Chapter 2 The Last Stone Carver

Warm Up (Text Book Page No. 113)

Work in pairs.
Read the instructions given below, draw and name the picture.

Draw a letter A.
Just below, draw a letter B. This makes A like a cap for B.
Give B one eye, a round nose, and a big mouth. You will draw a figure that looks like a circus clown. After drawing each part, remember to name your picture.

 

Write step by step instructions for the following picture.

Here are the step-by-step instructions to draw the dog:
1. First, draw the letter 'D'.
2. Next, draw an elliptical circle at the bottom part of the 'D'.
3. After that, draw five straight lines from the elliptical circle to make the dog's legs.
4. Then, add a dot as an eye inside the letter 'D'.
5. Finally, draw a small elliptical ear and a big black dot for the mouth in the letter 'D'.

 

Section - I

Textual Exercise (Text Book Page No. 116)

Which of the two sentences given below convey the following meaning?

 

Question 1. stained by – mark made on clothes or materials
The whitewashed walls were stained by many monsoons
(a) The walls were made dirty by rains.
(b) The Monsoon removed the dirt from the walls.
Answer: (a) The walls were made dirty by rains.
In simple words: The question asks which sentence means the walls became dirty because of many rainy seasons. Option (a) directly states that the rains made the walls dirty.

🎯 Exam Tip: When matching meanings, look for the option that directly expresses the core idea of the phrase or sentence provided.

 

Question 2. working for a pittance – working for very little money
I am tired of working for a pittance.
(a) He didn't want to work because he was tired.
(b) He didn't want to work as he gets low income for his work.
Answer: (b) He didn't want to work as he gets low income for his work.
In simple words: "Working for a pittance" means getting paid very little money. So, being tired of it means being tired of not earning enough.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to the meaning of idioms or phrases. Break down the phrase to understand its literal and implied meaning.

 

Question 3. ashen – pale
His face was ashen.
(a) He looked pale and dull.
(b) He looked bright and cheerful.
Answer: (a) He looked pale and dull.
In simple words: "Ashen" describes a pale, greyish color, often seen when someone is unwell or sad. So, an ashen face means a pale and dull face.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understanding common adjectives helps in quickly grasping the meaning of sentences. "Pale" is a good synonym for "ashen."

 

Question 4. drenched – thoroughly wet
He is drenched to the skin.
(a) He is thin and skinny.
(b) He is thoroughly wet.
Answer: (b) He is thoroughly wet.
In simple words: "Drenched" means completely soaked or wet through and through. So, being drenched to the skin means being very, very wet.

🎯 Exam Tip: Look for the direct and most accurate synonym or explanation among the choices. The phrase "to the skin" emphasizes being completely wet.

 

Section - II

Textual Exercise (Text Book Page No. 118)

 

Question. Read the sentences and number them in the correct order.
1. The old man worked tirelessly on the sculpture.
2. He had a strong wish to finish it in time.
3. Over days, he felt very weak.
4. He thought he wouldn't be able to finish it.
5. He wished to have Gopal with him.
6. He realized that Gopal must learn to carve the finer details.
7. Salim felt that it should come from within.
Answer: The sentences are already listed in their correct sequential order:
1. The old man worked tirelessly on the sculpture.
2. He had a strong wish to finish it in time.
3. Over days, he felt very weak.
4. He thought he wouldn't be able to finish it.
5. He wished to have Gopal with him.
6. He realized that Gopal must learn to carve the finer details.
7. Salim felt that it should come from within.
In simple words: These sentences describe a story in the right order, from the old man working to his feelings and Salim's thoughts. The order tells us how the story unfolds step-by-step.

🎯 Exam Tip: For sequencing questions, identify keywords or events that logically connect one sentence to the next, often involving cause and effect or time progression.

 

Section - III

Textual Exercise (Text Book Page No. 120)

Read Section – III (para 1 and 4) and answer the following questions.

Paragraph 1

 

Question 1. Who listened to the chipping sound of the chisel?
Answer: The old man listened to the chipping sound of the chisel.
In simple words: The old man heard the noise of the chisel.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always refer back to the passage for direct answers to "who," "what," and "where" questions to ensure accuracy.

 

Question 2. Who was working with the hammer and chisel?
Answer: Salim was working with the hammer and chisel.
In simple words: Salim was the one doing the carving work.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify the characters involved in the actions described in the passage.

 

Paragraph 4

 

Question 1. Who was staring?
Answer: The old stone carver was staring at the back of Salim, who was working on the statue.
In simple words: The older carver was watching Salim from behind.

🎯 Exam Tip: Distinguish between different characters to correctly identify who is performing which action.

 

Question 2. Who was the young stone carver?
Answer: Salim, the servant boy, was the young stone carver.
In simple words: Salim, who was a servant, was the younger artist.

🎯 Exam Tip: Note character descriptions, such as age or role, as they often help answer specific questions.

 

Question 3. What was he working on?
Answer: He was working on the statue of Lord Krishna.
In simple words: Salim was carving a statue of Lord Krishna.

🎯 Exam Tip: Be specific in your answer when asking about the object of an action.

 

Vocabulary (Text Book Page No. 121)

Work in pairs.

 

Question A. Arrange the words in alphabetical order, find the meaning of the words from the dictionary and fill in the blanks.
Answer: Here are the words arranged in alphabetical order with their meanings:
1. Appliqué – embroidery work
2. Calligraphy – beautiful handwriting
3. Ikebana – Japanese flower arrangement
4. Origami – Japanese paper art
5. Tapestry – cloth with designs and pictures
In simple words: We put the art words in A-B-C order. Then, we write what each word means, like what kind of art it is.

🎯 Exam Tip: To arrange words alphabetically, compare letters from left to right. If the first letters are the same, compare the second, and so on.

 

Question B. Match the tools with art forms.
Answer:

In simple words: This table matches each tool with the type of art it is used for. For example, a hammer and chisel are for sculpture.

🎯 Exam Tip: Think about the main purpose of each tool to correctly link it to the art form. Visualizing the process can help.

 

Listening (Text Book Page No. 122)

C. Listen to the teacher reading the passage. Read the questions given below, then listen to passage again and complete the responses.

 

Question. Complete the responses based on the listening passage.

Answer: Here are the correct responses based on the information provided:
1. Madhubani paintings are from Bihar state.
2. Madhubani paintings were originally done on walls.
3. This painting has international recognition: Yes.
4. Dilli Haat is a tourist place and a craft bazaar.
5. Madhubani painting can also be a career.
In simple words: For each sentence, we choose the right answer from the options given. This is like listening to a story and picking the correct facts.

🎯 Exam Tip: For listening comprehension, pay close attention to details like names, places, and specific facts mentioned in the passage. Sometimes, multiple options can be correct, as in Q4.

 

Speaking (Text Book Page No. 122)

D. Work in pairs. Find answers to these questions and present it to the class.

 

Question. Do you have an art/craft session at your school?
Answer: Yes, we do have art and craft sessions in our school.
In simple words: We have special classes for art and craft at school.

🎯 Exam Tip: For personal questions like this, a simple, direct "yes" or "no" followed by a short explanation is usually sufficient.

 

Question. Which session do you like – art/craft?
Answer: I like craftwork sessions.
In simple words: I enjoy the craft classes.

🎯 Exam Tip: State your preference clearly and concisely. No long explanations are needed for simple preference questions.

 

Question. What do you do in that session?
Answer: We make a lot of new models.
In simple words: We build many different types of models.

🎯 Exam Tip: Describe the main activity briefly. Focus on what you create or learn.

 

Question. Do you work individually or in pairs?
Answer: We work in pairs as well as individually.
In simple words: We can work alone or with a partner.

🎯 Exam Tip: Be precise about how tasks are structured, whether it's solitary, collaborative, or both.

 

Question. Can you do artwork or craftwork on your own?
Answer: I can do a craft on my own. For example, I can make a model of a house.
In simple words: Yes, I can do craft projects by myself, like building a small house model.

🎯 Exam Tip: Provide a specific example to illustrate your capability, which strengthens your answer.

 

Question. What qualities do you gain by doing art or craft?
Answer: Good habits are formed. We can also spend our recreation time and holidays doing art and craftwork, which helps us relax. Creativity and patience are key qualities developed.
In simple words: Art and craft help us form good habits and use our free time well, making us more creative.

🎯 Exam Tip: Think about the broader benefits of creative activities, such as developing skills, discipline, and relaxation.

 

E. Construct meaningful sentences from the table given below. (Text Book Page No. 124)

 

Question. Construct meaningful sentences from the table.
Answer: Here are the meaningful sentences constructed from the table:
1. Silence should be maintained in libraries, hospitals, etc.
2. Cars should not be parked in the 'No Parking' area.
3. Cleanliness should be practised at homes as well as in public places.
4. Cell phones should not be used in petrol bunks.
5. Junk food should be avoided as it is bad for health.
6. Sweets should be avoided as they cause cavities and toothache.
In simple words: We connect words from the table to make full sentences about what we should or should not do in different situations.

🎯 Exam Tip: When combining phrases from a table, ensure the grammar is correct and the resulting sentence makes logical sense.

All the above sentences are in the passive voice. All these sentences have transitive verbs, that is verb + object.
For example:
1. We should not use cellphones in petrol bunks. (Active voice)
Cell phones should not be used in petrol bunks. (Passive voice)
2. We must not park cars in the No Parking area. (Active voice)
Cars should not be parked in the No Parking area. (Passive voice)

 

F. Read the news report given below and underline the passive form of verbs.

 

Question. Read the news report given below and underline the passive form of verbs.
The police had announced that the State Bank of India was robbed yesterday. Two men entered the bank at 4.30 pm with guns in their hands. Customers and bank clerks were asked to lie down on the floor, and one of the bank clerks was made to fill robbers' bags with money. After that, the two men left the bank quickly. The police officer said that more than one lakh of rupees was stolen from the bank but nobody was injured. He also added that the robbers would be found soon.
Answer: The passive forms of verbs in the news report are:
- was robbed
- were asked
- was made
- was stolen
- was injured
- would be found
In simple words: We looked for verbs where the action is done to the subject, not by the subject. These verbs often use 'is', 'are', 'was', 'were', or 'will be' followed by a past participle.

🎯 Exam Tip: To identify passive voice, look for a form of the verb "to be" (is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been) followed by a past participle (e.g., eaten, seen, done). The subject usually receives the action.

 

Work in Pair

G. Rani's teacher narrates to her students about the production of paper. Read the following narration and fill in the blanks with the verbs using their passive form.
People of China produced paper from wood. They mixed water with the fibres of the wood and dried it until they became a soft wet pulp. They used this pulp to make paper. The Chinese invented this method of papermaking in the 2nd century BCE. Later Egyptians used papyrus plants to make paper.

 

Question 1. Paper ............... (produce) from wood.
Answer: is produced
In simple words: Paper doesn't produce itself; it is made by people using wood. So, "is produced" is the correct passive form.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that passive voice focuses on the action's receiver. When filling blanks, consider who or what performs the action to choose the correct verb form.

 

Question 2. The fibres of wood from trees ............... (mix) with water to make a soft wet pulp.
Answer: are mixed
In simple words: The fibres don't mix themselves; they are mixed by someone with water. Since "fibres" is plural, "are mixed" is used.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to the subject's number (singular or plural) to ensure correct verb agreement in passive voice sentences.

 

Question 3. Later, it ............... (dry) to make paper.
Answer: is dried
In simple words: The pulp is dried by someone or something, it doesn't dry itself. So, "is dried" is the right passive form for "it".

🎯 Exam Tip: The past participle is essential for passive voice. For regular verbs, this is usually the "-ed" form.

 

Question 4. .This method ............... (invent) in 2nd BCE in China.
Answer: was invented
In simple words: This method did not invent itself; it was created by someone in the past. Therefore, "was invented" is the correct passive form.

🎯 Exam Tip: Use "was" or "were" for passive voice when the action happened in the past.

 

Question 5. Papyrus plants ............... (use) by Egyptians to make paper.
Answer: were used
In simple words: Papyrus plants did not use themselves; they were used by the Egyptians. Since "plants" is plural and the action is in the past, "were used" is correct.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always consider the tense of the original sentence or context when forming the passive voice. "By Egyptians" clearly indicates the passive structure.

 

H. Read the process of making soup. Use the suitable passive forms of verbs and complete the paragraph. (Text Book Page No. 125)

 

Question. Read the process of making soup and complete the paragraph using suitable passive forms of verbs.
The packet is opened and the contents (i) ............... with 750 ml of water, without allowing it to form lumps. The mixture (ii) ............... into a heavy-bottomed vessel. It (iii) ............... in low flame for five minutes. The soup (iv) ............... into soup bowls and (v) ............... with fried corns.
Answer:
(i) are mixed
(ii) is poured
(iii) is simmered
(iv) is transferred
(v) is garnished
In simple words: We fill in the blanks with words that show what is being done to the soup, like "are mixed" or "is poured," because the soup doesn't do these things by itself. The last step involves adding the fried corn for decoration.

🎯 Exam Tip: Imagine yourself performing the steps of the recipe to correctly identify the passive verb needed for each action, and ensure verb agreement with the subject.

 

Writing (Text Book Page No. 125)

 

Question I. If you are asked to choose from any one of these toys which one do you choose? Give reasons, (plastic toys, wooden toys, clay toys, metallic toys)
Answer: If I am asked to choose toys, I will choose only clay toys. Clay toys are eco-friendly, meaning they are good for the environment. Their price is also cheap and affordable for everyone. Clay toys have been used since ancient times, showing they are a traditional and long-lasting choice. This preference helps promote traditional crafts.
In simple words: I would choose clay toys. They are good for nature, not expensive, and have been used for a very long time.

🎯 Exam Tip: When providing reasons for a choice, aim for a few distinct points like environmental impact, cost, durability, or cultural significance to make your answer strong.

 

Question J. Your friend has presented a beautiful art piece on your birthday. Write a letter to her appreciating her artwork.
Answer:
37, Jansy Road,
Madurai -19,
10. 10. 2020.

My dear Leela,

How are you? I am fine. I am studying well. Your present on my birthday was very special. I like it very much. The painting presented by you on my birthday is admired by everyone.

Thanks a lot.

Yours lovingly,
P. Kala

Address on the envelope
To
Leela,
[Friend's Address]
In simple words: This is a thank-you letter to a friend for a birthday gift. It expresses how much I liked the art and how special it was, and mentions that others also admired it.

🎯 Exam Tip: A good appreciation letter should include a clear thank you, mention specific details about the gift, express your feelings about it, and ideally mention how others reacted to it.

 

Creative Writing (Text Book Page No. 125)

 

Question K. You have prepared some eco-friendly craft materials like paper mache dolls, greeting cards, bookmarks, festoons, garlands, quilling jewellery, etc for an Art Mela to be conducted on your school premises. Describe in a few sentences how you made the craftwork. Include the following details in your writing. Name of the craftwork, Materials used, Nature (handy / eco-friendly, long-lasting / affordable price), Use (place / person / time).
Answer:
**Name of the craftwork:** Clay toy
**Materials used:** Clay, salt, water
**Nature:** Eco-friendly, affordable price, handy, portable
**Description:** We made eco-friendly clay toys by mixing clay, salt, and water to a smooth consistency. This mixture was then kneaded well before being poured into moulds. These clay toys are great for small children and adults alike. They are easy to carry around and can be used anywhere. India has a rich history of making these types of clay toys. These toys are not just fun but also a way to keep our traditions alive.
In simple words: We made clay toys using clay, salt, and water, pouring the mix into shapes. They are earth-friendly, cheap, and easy to carry, and many people can use them.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing a craft, include the materials, the process of making it, and its key characteristics like eco-friendliness, cost, and usage. This provides a complete picture.

The stone carver, an old man, was deserted by his son, Gopal, in the midst of his sculpting work. It was his biggest and best work. It might be his last work too. The marble statue was only half-finished. After the departure of his son Gopal, the old man felt very sad. An orphan boy named Salim was a servant to the stone carver. Salim comforted his master and provided him refreshment. The old man worked tirelessly to finish the statue of Lord Krishna by himself in time. Soon, he lost his energy and knelt down. He wished to get the help of his son Gopal to finish the statue. He also said that even Gopal had yet to learn some finer details of stone carving. The old man worked hard throughout the night. He fainted down. When he opened his eyes he found himself on a cot. The old stone carver heard the noise of chisel and hammer. He thought that Gopal had returned home. He went out to see. But, Gopal was not there. The young sculptor Salim, the servant was there. The old man was surprised and felt happy. He blessed Salim that he would be one of the country's finest stone carvers.

The Last Stone Carver Summary in Tamil

வயதான அவரது மகன், கோபால் பிரிந்து செல்கிறான். சிற்பியின் வேலை பாதிதான் முடிந்துள்ளது. அச்சிற்பம் பெரியது. சிறந்தது. ஒருவேளை சிற்பியின் கடைசி சிற்பமாகவும் இருக்கலாம். சிலை பாதியளவே முடிவடைந்து இருந்தது. சிற்பி வருத்தமடைந்தார். தான் இந்த பெரிய வேலையை எவ்வாறு தனியே செய்யப் போகிறோம் என்று கலக்கமடைந்தார். அவரது வேலைக்காரர் சலீம், ஓர் அனாதை. தன் எஜமானரை அவன் சமாதானப்படுத்தினான். அவருக்கு உணவு அளித்து ஆதரவு தந்தான். ஸ்ரீ கிருஷ்ணனின் சிலையை முடிக்க, சிற்பி மிகப் பாடுபட்டு உழைத்தார். ஆனால் அவரது சக்தி குறைந்து கொண்டே வந்தது. நிற்கக்கூட முடியவில்லை. தன் மகன் கோபால் அவருடன் இருந்தால் நன்றாக இருக்கும் என எண்ணினார். ஆனால் கோபால் கற்றுக் கொள்ள வேண்டும் என்று நினைத்தார். இரவு முழுவதும் உழைத்ததால் மயங்கி விழுந்தார். கண்களை விழித்தபோது ஒரு கட்டிலின் மீது படுத்திருப்பதை உணர்ந்தார். சிற்ப வேலை செய்யப் பயன்படும் சுத்தியின் ஒலியைக் கேட்டார். தன் மகன் கோபால் வீடு திரும்பிவிட்டான் என நினைத்தார். வெளியே சென்று பார்க்கையில் கோபால் அங்கு இல்லை. செதுக்கும் வேலையை சலீம் செய்து கொண்டிருந்தான். கிழவர் வியப்படைந்து மகிழ்ந்தார். சலீமை உலகத்தின் மிகச் சிறந்த சிற்பிகளில் ஒருவராக ஆகப்போகிறாய் என ஆசீர்வதித்தார்.

The Last Stone Carver About the Author in English

Sigrun Srivastav is an Indian author of German origin. She is a multi-faceted artist, a writer, a sculptor, and an illustrator. As a writer, she has written over 25 books for children of all ages.

The Last Stone Carver About the Author in Tamil

சிக்ரன் ஸ்ரீவத்ஸ்தவ், ஜெர்மன் வம்சாவளியைச் சேர்ந்த இந்திய எழுத்தாளர். பன்முகத் திறமைகள் கொண்ட பெண் இவர். கலைஞர், எழுத்தாளர், சிற்பி, என எதையும் எடுத்து இயம்பும் ஆற்றல் பெற்றவர். பல்வேறு வயது உள்ள குழந்தைகளுக்காக 25 புத்தகத்திற்கு மேல் இவர் எழுதியுள்ளார்.