The chapter, The Tiny Teacher, is about one of the tiniest teachers humans can have. Any guesses? We are talking about ‘ants’. Yes, you heard that right. So, this lesson is about ants and their routine, work, dedication, discipline, etc., which humans must learn from these tiny creatures.
The Tiny Teacher
Comprehension Check
Question 1. The story of an ant’s life sounds almost untrue.
The italicized phrase means
(i) highly exaggerated.
(ii) too remarkable to be true.
(iii) not based on facts.
Answer: (i) highly exaggerated.
Question 2. Complete the following sentences.
(i) An ant is the smallest, _______________________________________.
(ii) We know several facts about an ant’s life because _______________________.
Answer: (i) An ant is the smallest, commonest and wisest insect we have seen.
(ii) We know several facts about an ant’s life because there are people who have kept ants as pets and have watched them closely.
NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English Unit 8 A Homage to Our Brave Soldiers and Poem Meadow Surprises
Question 3. In what ways is an ant’s life peaceful?
Answer: An ant’s life is peaceful because all of them do their work bravely, honestly and intelligently. They do not interfere in each other’s work.
Comprehension Check
Question 1. How long does it take for a grub to become a complete ant?
Answer: It takes two to three weeks for the grub to transform into a cocoon and then another three weeks to convert into a complete ant.
Question 2. Why do the worker ants carry the grubs about?
Answer: The worker ants carry the grubs about daily for exercise, airing and sunshine.
Question 3. What jobs are new ants trained for?
Answer: New ants are trained by the old ants on the jobs of workers, cleaners, soldiers, builders, etc.
Question 4. Name some other creatures that live in anthills.
Answer: Other creatures that live in anthills are beetles and greenflies.
Question 5. Mention three things we can learn from the ‘tiny teacher’. Give reasons for choosing these items.
Answer: Three things that we can learn from the ‘tiny teacher’ are hard work, cleanliness, loyalty and care for the young ones.
Exercises
UNDERSTANDING THE CAUSES BEHIND THE RISE IN CARBON DIOXIDE LEVELS
Answer the following questions:
Question 1. (i) What problems are you likely to face if you keep ants as pets?
(ii) When a group of bees finds nectar, it informs other bees of its location, quantity, etc. through dancing. Can you guess what ants communicate to their fellow ants by touching one another’s feelers?
Answer: (i) There might be several problems if we keep ants as pets. They would start eating our food and other eatables. They bite. They won’t listen to our orders.
(ii) Ants communicate about food newly found by them to their fellow ants by touching one another’s feelers.
Question 2. Complete the following poem with words from the box below. Then recite the poem.
Soldiers live in barracks
And birds in _________,
Much like a snake that rests
In a _________. No horse is able
To sleep except in a _________.
And a dog lives well,
Mind you, only in a _________.
To say ‘hi’ to an ant, if you will,
You may have to climb an _________.
Hole, kennel, nests, anthill, stable
Answer:
Soldiers live in barracks
And birds in nests,
Much like a snake that rests
In a hole. No horse is able
To sleep except in a stable.
And a dog lives well,
Mind you, only in a kennel.
To say ‘hi’ to an ant, if you will,
You may have to climb an anthill.
