chapter 1 literature class 7 answers

 

Understanding the Text

A. Complete this table

What we know from the text	How we know it
Swaminathan had no real interest in cricket—he just wanted to do what Rajam did.	In paragraph 1, it is clear that Swaminathan is only following Rajam’s lead, showing his desire to impress him rather than a love for cricket.
Rajam is honest.	In paragraph 3, Rajam clearly tells the truth about their lack of cricket skills. He does not pretend to know everything, which shows his honesty.
Rajam has a vivid imagination.	In paragraph 19, Rajam comes up with creative ideas about the cricket club, including names, uniforms, and fears about being sued, showing how imaginative he is.
Rajam is a new friend to Swaminathan.	Paragraph 37 tells us that Rajam had not known Swaminathan for very long, showing that their friendship was still new.
Swaminathan worries and takes his worries to an extreme.	In paragraph 42, Swaminathan panics about taxes and the law, imagining all kinds of problems. This shows how easily he becomes anxious.

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B. Answer these questions

1. What do we know about Rajam and Swaminathan’s cricket knowledge and cricket skills?
   From paragraphs 1 to 3, we learn that both boys have very little real knowledge of cricket. Rajam is more confident, but even he is not very skilled. Swaminathan is mostly following Rajam and does not really understand the game well.
2. Why do you think the boys are starting a cricket club?
   The boys are starting the club mostly out of excitement and a desire to be part of something fun. Rajam wants to take charge and be seen as a leader, while Swaminathan just wants to be part of it to impress Rajam and feel included.
3. “That is Hobbs’s team, isn’t it? They may drag us before a court if we take their name.”
   a. Why does Swaminathan think this is a possibility?
   Swaminathan believes using a name that might already belong to someone else could get them into legal trouble. His imagination leads him to worry that the real Hobbs might sue them.
   b. What are the two things that we learn about Swaminathan from this?
   First, Swaminathan is very imaginative and jumps to big conclusions quickly. Second, he tends to worry a lot and often overthinks simple matters.

Appreciating the Text

1. How does the writer bring out the humour in the text? Think about the two characters. Say—

• How they think (about their club, about other teams):
  The boys treat their little club like it’s something very grand and important. They come up with big names and believe they will become famous, which is funny because they barely know the game.
• What they know (about setting up a club, about the government, about taxes):
  They know very little about how to actually form a cricket club or what taxes mean. Their confusion and guesses make the situation humorous.
• And what you as the reader know to be actually true:
  We, as readers, understand that their fears and assumptions are exaggerated. The difference between what they think and reality is what makes the story funny.

2. How is the popularity of the game of cricket brought out by the writer? Why is this important to the story? How does it make the story enjoyable even for readers of today?
Even though the boys don’t really understand the game, they are still eager to create a team and join the fun. This shows that cricket was widely loved and admired, even by those who didn't know much about it. Their excitement and silly misunderstandings make the story light-hearted and fun, which makes it enjoyable even for readers today.

 

Page 1 – Higher Order Questions

4. “‘Excelsior Union’… ‘Champion Eleven’…”
a. What is common to both these names?
Both names sound grand, serious, and professional. They give the impression that the club is very important or high-level.

b. Do you think Rajam’s club, as it is at this moment, will live up to these names? Why?
No, because the boys have not yet learned the rules of cricket properly, they don’t have a full team, and are only just beginning. Their plans are ambitious, but they are far from being a real team.

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5. How do we know that Rajam takes the cricket club very seriously? (para 30)
In paragraph 30, Rajam starts thinking up impressive names for the team and planning how it will work. This shows he is serious about making the club successful, even though they haven’t played yet.

6. “People would be afraid of us.” Why would the two boys wish for this?
They want to feel powerful and respected by other teams. They imagine their club becoming so strong and well-known that others would be scared to compete with them.

7. “I mean—if we don’t pay tax,… the Government demands two taxes from us.”
a. What does Swaminathan think the Government will do if they don’t pay tax?
He believes the Government will fine them, send officials after them, or possibly take legal action.

b. What is Rajam’s solution to this problem?
Rajam calmly suggests they either pay a small amount or just ignore it. He doesn’t take the problem too seriously.

c. Why does Swaminathan not accept this solution?
Swaminathan gets very anxious and overthinks the situation. He imagines serious punishments and can't relax about the issue.

8. Swaminathan seemed to be an expert in thinking out difficulties.
a. What emotion do you think Rajam is feeling at this point?
Rajam is likely feeling annoyed or frustrated because Swaminathan keeps creating imaginary problems and making things more complicated than they are.

b. How is Swaminathan making matters worse?
Swaminathan is bringing up new worries, like taxes and legal trouble, which are unlikely to happen. His constant worrying makes it hard for them to move forward.

9. Swaminathan is utterly confused at the end. What are the details in para 42 that support this statement?
In paragraph 42, Swaminathan imagines being taken to court, punished by the Government, and even thinks about serious consequences just for starting a cricket club. His thoughts are wild and unrealistic, showing how confused and overwhelmed he has become.