NCERT Solutions Class 7 English Unit 3 Dreams and Discoveries Chapter 07 My Brother's Great Invention (Story)

 

Question 1. I am a concept invented by ancient Indian mathematician. I add value to numbers. Without me, calculations in the modern digital world would be impossible. Who am I?
Answer: Zero

Exam Tip: When answering riddle-style questions, make sure your answer is concise and directly addresses what is being described.

 

Question 2. I am an ancient Indian practice, now popular globally. I focus on physical and mental well-being. What am I?
Answer: Yoga

Exam Tip: For definition-based riddles, identify the key characteristics and match them to recognize the answer accurately.

 

Let us Do These Activities Before We Read (Page 91)

 

Activity I. Work in Pairs and Guess the Invention

 

Activity II. Discuss in Groups of Four
Question: What you think the world today would have been like without inventions and discoveries.
Answer: Students should organize themselves into groups of 4 and have a discussion on this topic. They are encouraged to create charts on the subject and display them in the classroom.

Exam Tip: Group discussions help develop critical thinking. Always support your ideas with examples and listen to others' viewpoints.

 

Activity III. Fill the Grid With Missing Letters to Complete the Words - Qualities of an Inventor

 

 

Let Us Discuss (Pages 94-95)

 

Activity I. Complete the Cause-and-Effect Table

 

 

Activity II. Did Anand Keep His Promise Regarding the Time Machine?
Question: Do you think Anand was able to keep his promise regarding the time machine? If yes, why? If no, why not?
Answer: Yes, Anand managed to keep his promise about not doing anything with the time machine. He did not attempt to test it. By pure chance, Boppa entered their house and then Anand's room. While there, Boppa played around with the time machine, which caused all the chaos to happen.

Exam Tip: When answering yes-or-no questions, always provide supporting evidence from the text to justify your response.

 

Arrange the Following Events in the Correct Order of Occurrence

 

 

Let Us Think and Reflect (Pages 99-101)

 

Extract 1

 

Question 1(i). When Anita says, "...let me put you in the picture", she wants to _____ (introduce/summarise) the situation for the benefit of the readers.
Answer: summarise
In simple words: Anita is explaining the main points of what happened before the story begins.

Exam Tip: Understanding context clues in sentences helps you choose the correct meaning of a phrase.

 

Question 1(ii). Anand loves 'tinkering' with all sorts of electrical gadgets. This means that he enjoys _____ gadgets.
(A) dismantling and creating
(B) labelling or naming
(C) repairing or improving
(D) collecting and displaying
Answer: (C) repairing or improving
In simple words: Tinkering means to work on something in order to fix it or make it function better.

Exam Tip: When defining unfamiliar words, look at how they are used in context within the sentence.

 

Question 1(iii). Which of the following options most suitably describes Anand's personality?
(A) methodical and cautious
(B) creative and experimental
(C) energetic and hasty
(D) shy and reserved
Answer: (B) creative and experimental
In simple words: Anand likes to come up with new ideas and test them out through his inventions, showing he is inventive and willing to try new things.

Exam Tip: Identify personality traits by looking at character actions and motivations throughout the story.

 

Question 1(iv). Based on the extract, compare what Anita thinks of her brother Anand with what he thinks of himself.
Answer: Anita views her brother as someone who creates unnecessary commotion around his inventions and has an inflated opinion of himself, yet in reality he is unable to create things that are truly useful. In contrast, Anand sees himself as a scientist who is constantly engaged in making new inventions through his work with different gadgets.
In simple words: Anita thinks Anand talks too much about his inventions and overestimates his abilities. Anand, however, truly believes he is a scientist working on important projects.

Exam Tip: When comparing perspectives, use specific quotes or examples from the text that show each character's viewpoint.

 

Extract 2

 

Question 2(i). Complete the sentence given below with a suitable reason. Anita was angry with Anand because _____.
Answer: Anand directed Boppa to his room instead of his father's room, which was what Anita had been about to suggest.
In simple words: Anand sent the intruder to his own room when Anita had wanted to do that herself.

Exam Tip: Look for cause-and-effect relationships in the text to complete sentences accurately.

 

Question 2(ii). Which action of Anand shows his presence of mind?
Answer: Anand demonstrates quick thinking by directing Boppa to his own room instead of his father's room. This move was smart because it protected his father from danger.
In simple words: Anand thought fast and sent the bad person to his room instead of his father's, keeping his father safe.

Exam Tip: Presence of mind refers to the ability to think and act quickly in difficult situations - look for moments when a character makes smart decisions under pressure.

 

Question 2(iii). What might be the cause of the strange noises emerging from the next room?
(A) The intruder moving furniture around
(B) Anand's time machine getting activated
(C) The intruder locating the light switch
(D) Anand's invention malfunctioning
Answer: (B) Anand's time machine getting activated
In simple words: The time machine started working when Boppa went into the room, which created the strange sounds.

Exam Tip: Use context clues and the overall plot to determine cause-and-effect relationships.

 

Question 2(iv). Which of the following best describes the atmosphere in this extract?
(A) relaxing
(B) peaceful
(C) tense
(D) sad
(E) suspenseful
(F) joyful
Answer: (c) C and E - tense and suspenseful
In simple words: The scene is filled with worry and excitement because something dangerous is happening and we do not know what will occur next.

Exam Tip: Atmosphere is created through descriptions of sounds, actions, and the emotions of characters - notice words like "crash," "scream," and "strange noises" that build tension.

 

Character Traits Table - Complete With Suitable Traits Based on Evidence From the Text

 

 

Question 1. What prompted Anand to create the burglar alarm?
Answer: Anand decided to make the burglar alarm because there had been several thefts occurring in his neighborhood.
In simple words: Anand wanted to protect his house from thieves because there had been robberies in the area.

Exam Tip: Always identify the motivation or reason behind a character's actions - this helps explain why they do what they do.

 

Question 2. How did Anand's father become the target of the burglar alarm?
Answer: Anand's father turned into the target because he had the habit of opening the door quietly and softly, which triggered the alarm that was set to activate when the door was opened gently.
In simple words: Papa always opened the door softly, so the alarm thought he was a thief and went off.

Exam Tip: Pay attention to the irony in situations - sometimes characters get caught by their own inventions in unexpected ways.

 

Question 3. How did Anand's parents and sister react to his ideas?
Answer: Anand's parents showed little support for his ideas, while his sister had to become involved in his schemes whether she wanted to or not.
In simple words: His parents did not encourage him much, but Anita had to help him deal with his ideas.

Exam Tip: Notice how different family members respond differently to the same person's ideas - this shows varied perspectives.

 

Question 4. How did Anand behave when he was on his 'inventing binges'?
Answer: When on his inventing binges, Anand would take apart all the household gadgets to collect their parts. During this time, his appearance and behavior became messy, disorganized, and uncouth.
In simple words: When Anand was inventing, he would take things apart everywhere in the house and looked wild and messy.

Exam Tip: Character descriptions that show physical changes reflect emotional or mental states - use these details to understand motivation.

 

Question 5. Why did Mr. Sharma not believe Anand when he spoke about his time machine?
Answer: Mr. Sharma did not accept Anand's explanation about the time machine because Boppa had vanished and was nowhere in sight, leading him to assume that Boppa had simply run away.
In simple words: Papa did not believe the time machine story because he could not see Boppa anywhere - he thought Boppa had escaped.

Exam Tip: Use evidence from the text to show why characters make certain judgments based on what they observe.

 

Question 6. Give an ending to this story, explaining what might have happened to Boppa.
Answer: I believe that Boppa traveled through the time machine and disappeared into a different era through the device.
In simple words: Boppa went through the time machine and ended up in the past.

Exam Tip: When creating alternate endings, use the tools and concepts already established in the story to make your explanation believable.

 

Let Us Learn (Pages 101-104)

 

Onomatopoeia - Sound Words Used in the Story

 

Onomatopoeic words are words that imitate the actual sound they represent.

 

 

Binomials - Two Words Commonly Used Together in a Fixed Order

 

Binomials are expressions made up of two words usually joined by 'and' or 'or' that are used together regularly in a set sequence. The two words either convey a single meaning or show opposites.

 

 

Complete the Following Sentences With Suitable Binomials
Question 1. This project will be a _____ moment for our team's success.
Answer: make or break
In simple words: This project will either help the team succeed or cause it to fail completely.

Exam Tip: Remember the exact order of words in binomials - reversing them changes or eliminates the meaning.

 

Question 2. After a long journey, we were relieved to arrive home _____.
Answer: safe and sound
In simple words: We arrived home in good condition, with everyone unhurt and well.

Exam Tip: This binomial emphasizes both physical safety and overall wellness.

 

Question 3. Every friendship works well when there is a balance of _____.
Answer: give and take
In simple words: Friendships succeed when both people are willing to help each other and make compromises.

Exam Tip: This binomial represents mutual effort and compromise in relationships.

 

Question 4. She organized all the _____ in the cupboard to make space for new clothes.
Answer: odds and ends
In simple words: She organized all the miscellaneous or leftover items in the cupboard.

Exam Tip: This binomial refers to various small or unrelated items collected together.

 

Question 5. Before making a decision, it is important to weigh the _____ carefully.
Answer: pros and cons
In simple words: Consider the advantages and disadvantages before deciding.

Exam Tip: This binomial is commonly used in decision-making contexts to show balanced thinking.

 

Question 6. This is our final chance to perform on stage, it is _____.
Answer: now or never
In simple words: This is the last opportunity, so the action must be taken immediately or it will be lost forever.

Exam Tip: This binomial expresses urgency and the finality of a situation.

 

Phrasal Verbs - Complete the Paragraph

 

Question. Complete the paragraph by using the phrasal verbs given in the box below.
Answer: It had been raining and we (i) ran out of time to set up for the function, so we quickly (ii) rigged up some decorations using whatever materials we had. We accidentally (iii) tripped off the fire alarm because of the smoke from the bonfire. Thankfully, the rain (iv) let up just as the guests were arriving, and despite all the chaos, the function (v) turned out to be a huge success.
In simple words: We were short on time, so we made decorations quickly. The fire alarm went off by accident. The rain stopped just in time, and the event ended up being wonderful despite the problems.

Exam Tip: Phrasal verbs have specific meanings - learn them as complete units rather than translating each word separately.

 

Idioms - Phrases With Meanings Beyond Their Individual Words

 

An idiom is a phrase or expression whose meaning is different from what the individual words suggest. It is a special saying that people understand in a particular way. For example, 'It is raining cats and dogs' means it is raining very heavily.

 

Complete the Following Sentences With Suitable Idioms From the Text
Question 1. Shekhar knew he would _____ for breaking his mother's favourite flower vase.
Answer: get a shelling
In simple words: Shekhar knew he would be scolded or punished harshly.

Exam Tip: Idioms create vivid language - "get a shelling" suggests severe criticism like bullets hitting.

 

Question 2. We _____ trying to help the injured dog and get it to the vet as quickly as possible.
Answer: fell over ourselves
In simple words: We rushed and pushed each other eagerly while trying to help the dog.

Exam Tip: This idiom shows enthusiasm and eagerness through the image of people stumbling over themselves.

 

Question 3. Faizy distracted Kanchan, _____ for us to get inside the room to prepare the birthday surprise.
Answer: leaving the coast clear
In simple words: Faizy distracted Kanchan so that the path was open and safe for others to enter the room.

Exam Tip: The phrase "coast clear" comes from nautical language meaning no ships or obstacles ahead.

 

Question 4. The constant power fluctuations during meetings can _____.
Answer: get on our nerves
In simple words: The power problems make us feel annoyed and frustrated.

Exam Tip: "Get on nerves" is a common idiom showing irritation caused by repeated or ongoing problems.

 

Question 5. When I am alone at home, any unexpected loud noise in the night can _____.
Answer: frighten me half to death
In simple words: An unexpected noise can scare me extremely when I am alone.

Exam Tip: This idiom uses exaggeration to show intense fear - it does not literally mean partial death.

 

Simple Past and Past Perfect Tense

 

Understanding Tense in the Sentence: Two completed actions are described - one action that happened recently (simple past) and an earlier action (past perfect).

 

Question 1. Underline the verbs in simple past and past perfect tense in the following sentences.
Sentence (i): Ma had rushed (Past Perfect) in to see what the racket was all about and found (Simple Past) Papa standing there, sopping wet and scowling.
Sentence (ii): Anand had vanished (Past Perfect) by this time and reappeared (Simple Past) only after dinner when Papa had cooled (Past Perfect) down.
In simple words: Had + verb shows an action that finished before another past action. Simple past shows a completed action.

Exam Tip: Past perfect always uses "had" + the past participle to show that one action happened before another in the past.

 

Question 2. Fill in the blanks with the simple past or past perfect form of the verbs.
Sentence (i): After Rohan (A) had finished his homework, he (B) decided to go for a walk. He (C) left the house and (D) realised he (E) had forgotten his keys inside.
Sentence (ii): By the time we (A) reached the station, the train (B) had left. We (C) waited for the next one to arrive.
In simple words: Use "had" plus the verb when one action happens before another action in the past. Use simple past for the later action.

Exam Tip: Words like "before," "after," "by the time," and "already" signal the need for past perfect tense.

 

Question 3. Combine Pairs of Sentences Using Time Expressions and Past Perfect Tense
Example: Rohan had packed his suitcase before he left for the airport.
Answer (i): Rohan had packed his suitcase before he left for the airport.
Answer (ii): We had started work before he arrived in the morning.
Answer (iii): They had set up the tents by the time the others brought food and medicine.
Answer (iv): The students had become quiet when they heard the teacher coming.
Answer (v): The villagers had left the village before the flood submerged the entire area.
In simple words: Use "had" + verb to show which action happened first in the past.

Exam Tip: Time words help identify which action occurred first - use them to determine which verb should be in past perfect.

 

Let Us Listen (Page 105)

 

Question I. You will listen to a conversation between Anita and Toby. Toby is a Martian and is stranded on Earth. Choose the true statements.
Answer:
1. False (He misses his people and home, not just his school)
2. True (Anita accepts Toby's request for friendship)
3. True (She asks why he has only one eye)
4. False (She had an apple for breakfast, not a banana)
5. True (He tells Anita he can see more clearly with a closed eye)
In simple words: Some statements match what happened in the conversation, while others do not match the facts presented.

Exam Tip: Listen carefully to specific details - answers like "no apple" instead of "banana" show how small differences matter in true/false questions.

 

Question II. Listen to the conversation again and fill in the blanks with the exact words you hear.
Answer:
1. Toby: I miss my people and home.
2. Toby: Well, we Martians don't need to eat anything. We get our energy from the Sun.
3. Anita: Oh! Don't you ever feel like having ice creams and chocolates?
4. Anita: Okay, tell me one thing. How are you able to see with only one eye?
5. Toby: I can see beyond mountains and clouds, woods and even metals.
In simple words: Write the exact words spoken in the conversation by listening carefully.

Exam Tip: For listening exercises requiring exact words, focus on catching every detail - one word difference can make an answer incorrect.

 

Let Us Speak (Page 105)

 

Pronunciation of Words Ending With -ough

 

Many English words end with the letters -ough and are pronounced in very different ways. The pronunciation does not always match what you might expect from the spelling.

 

 

Tongue Twister Practice

 

The boy with the tough dough on the rose bough fell in the trough and caught a cough.

 

Let Us Write (Pages 106-107)

 

Think About Different Vocations and Write a Paragraph

 

Sample Answer: My Dream Vocation - Being a Chef
Answer: I dream of becoming a chef because I love cooking and experimenting with new recipes. To pursue this career, I would attend culinary school to learn cooking methods, kitchen safety practices, and food presentation skills, as well as gain hands-on experience in a professional kitchen. My team would include other chefs, kitchen helpers, waiters, and restaurant managers working together to give customers a wonderful meal. Working as a team in a kitchen is very important, and I would take great pride in my work. I would be creative, aim for the best results, and treat customers with respect by paying attention to what they want and giving them excellent service.
In simple words: I want to be a chef. I will go to cooking school. A good kitchen team makes great meals. I will work hard and treat customers well.

Exam Tip: When writing about vocations, include why you like it, what training is needed, what tools you use, who you work with, and how teamwork matters.

 

Let Us Explore (Pages 107-108)

 

Understanding Creativity, Innovation, and Invention

 

Creativity means thinking of new ideas and possibilities. Innovation refers to taking action and actually doing new things. An invention occurs when ideas or objects are brought together in an original way to make something entirely new that did not exist before. Every major invention begins with a simple concept.

 

Throughout history, human curiosity and creativity have led to many scientific and technological breakthroughs. You have probably learned about numerous famous inventions. Below are some notable examples. You may research additional Indian inventors and their inventions to expand your understanding.

 

Sushruta (Sixth Century B.C.) - A Leader in Ancient Medical Science

 

Sushruta was a groundbreaking figure in the history of medical science. His innovations in surgical techniques created the foundation for modern surgical practices. His detailed descriptions of surgical instruments and procedures influenced medicine for centuries.

 

Dr. Janaki Ammal (Padma Shri Award Recipient) - Pioneering Woman Scientist

 

Dr. Janaki Ammal was an exceptional woman scientist of India who made major advances in the field of cytogenetics, the study of cell structure and genetics. Her work contributed significantly to agricultural science and plant breeding in India.

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