Unit – VI

NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English Chapter 6

Expert Detective

The chapter “Expert Detectives” from your 7th standard English subject tells the story of two curious siblings, Maya and Nishad, who suspect their neighbor, Mr. Nath, might be hiding something.

The Enigmatic Mr. Nath:

Two inquisitive siblings, Maya (10 years old) and Nishad (7, nicknamed Seven), live a life filled with curiosity. Their current object of fascination is Mr. Nath, a secretive man residing in room number 10 at Shankar Guest House. Maya, the more assertive and suspicious one, finds him odd due to several factors:

• Secluded lifestyle: Mr. Nath keeps to himself, rarely interacting with other guests.
• Lack of friends: He seems to have no social circle, further fueling Maya’s suspicion.
• Physical appearance: Maya focuses on his scarred face, interpreting it as a mark of a criminal past.

These observations lead Maya to believe Mr. Nath might be on the run from the police. However, their mother, a doctor who treats Mr. Nath, assures them he’s a polite patient. This creates a conflict: Maya’s suspicion fueled by circumstantial evidence versus their mother’s firsthand experience with the man.

Investigative Instincts Take Over:

Fate intervenes when Nishad loses his marble and retrieves it from Mr. Nath’s room. Unlike Maya’s preconceived image, he finds Mr. Nath to be thin and lacking the stereotypical appearance of a criminal. This throws Maya’s theory into question.

Determined to uncover the truth and fueled by their curiosity, both siblings decide to investigate further. Nishad, with his more trusting nature, strikes up a conversation with Ramesh, a boy who delivers food to Mr. Nath. He gathers some interesting details:

• Simple lifestyle: Mr. Nath lives a simple life with just two meals a day.
• Solitary evenings: He spends his evenings alone in his room, further contributing to the air of mystery.

This information paints a picture of a potentially lonely man, but it doesn’t dispel Maya’s suspicions entirely.

A Glimpse into Mr. Nath’s Life:

Finally, Nishad witnesses a significant clue: a well-dressed man visiting Mr. Nath on Sundays. This suggests a potential connection between them, offering a new piece to the puzzle.

The Lingering Mystery:

The story ends without revealing Mr. Nath’s true story. The reader is left with unanswered questions:

• Is Mr. Nath a criminal on the run as Maya suspects?
• Or is he simply a lonely man seeking solace, as Nishad’s observations suggest?
• What is the significance of the Sunday visitor?

Focus on Curiosity and Deduction:

The story doesn’t provide definitive answers, but it emphasizes the power of curiosity and the thrill of detective work. Maya and Nishad, despite their different approaches, utilize their skills in observation, questioning, and deduction to piece together bits and pieces of information. Although their investigation doesn’t reach a concrete conclusion, it showcases their resourcefulness and the excitement of the unknown.

NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English Chapter 6 : Expert Detective

Comprehension Check

1. What did Nishad gave Mr Nath? Why?

Ans : Nishad gave Mr. Nath a bar of chocolate.  There are two main reasons why he did this:

1. Kindness and Compassion: Since Mr. Nath lived a simple life with only two meals a day, Nishad, seeing him as thin, might have felt Mr. Nath was starving and offered him the chocolate out of kindness.
2. Breaking the Ice: Nishad might have also hoped offering the chocolate would be a friendly gesture, a way to break the ice and initiate some interaction with the seemingly secretive Mr. Nath.

2. What is ‘strange’ about Mr Nath’s Sundays?

Ans : Mr. Nath’s Sundays are strange because he has a regular visitor who comes almost every week and stays for lunch. This consistent, specific visitor adds to the mystery surrounding Mr. Nath.

3. Why did Nishad and Maya get a holiday?

Ans : Nishad and Maya likely got a holiday due to heavy rain and flooding. Flooded roads might have caused school closures to ensure their safety.

NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English Chapter 6

Working With Text

1. What does Nishad find out about Mr Nath from Ramesh?
Arrange the information as suggested below.

• What he eats
• When he eats
• What he drinks and when
• How he pays

Ans : 

• What he eats: Two meals a day – simple food like chapattis, dal, and vegetables.
• When he eats: Breakfast in the morning and another meal in the evening.
• What he drinks and when: Tea – once in the morning and again in the afternoon.
• How he pays: Cash and tips Ramesh generously.

2. Why does Maya think Mr Nath is a crook? Who does she say the Sunday visitor is?

Ans : Maya thinks Mr. Nath is a crook because of several reasons:

• Secretive and withdrawn: Mr. Nath keeps to himself, rarely interacting with others, which raises suspicion for Maya.
• Lack of friends: Having no social circle fuels Maya’s belief that he might be hiding something.
• Physical appearance: The scars on his face become a justification for Maya to suspect a criminal past.

These observations lead Maya to believe Mr. Nath is on the run from the police.

Who does Maya think the Sunday visitor is?

Maya believes the well-dressed man who visits Mr. Nath every Sunday is his accomplice.  She assumes they are somehow connected to Mr. Nath’s supposed criminal activities. She might think the visitor keeps a portion of the loot and gives Mr. Nath his share for expenses.

3.  Does Nishad agree with Maya about Mr Nath? How does he feel about him?

Ans : Nishad disagrees with Maya’s crook theory. He finds Mr. Nath thin and offers him chocolate, suggesting kindness and a lack of fear.

NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English Chapter 6

Working With Language

The word ‘tip’ has only three letters but many meanings.
Match the word with its meanings below.

1. finger tips – be about to say something
2. the tip of your nose – make the boat overturn
3. tip the water out of the bucket – the ends of one’s fingers
4. have something on the tip of your tongue – give a rupee to him, to thank him
5.  tip the boat over-empty a bucket by tilting it
6. tip him a rupee-the pointed end of your nose
7. the tip of the bat – if you take this advice
8. the police were tipped off – the bat lightly touched the ball
9. if you take my tip – the end of the bat
10. the bat tipped the ball – the police were told or warned

Ans : 

• finger tips – the ends of one’s fingers
• have something on the tip of your tongue – be about to say something
• tip the water out of the bucket – empty a bucket by tilting it
• tip him a rupee – give a rupee to him, to thank him
• tip the boat over – make the boat overturn (incorrect – this should be “topple”)
• the tip of the bat – the end of the bat
• the bat tipped the ball – the bat lightly touched the ball
• if you take my tip – if you take this advice
• the police were tipped off – the police were told or warned

2. The words helper, companion, partner and accomplice have very similar meanings, but each word is typically used in certain phrases. Can you fill in the blanks below with the most commonly used words? A dictionary may help you.

1. business ……………
2. my ……………. on the journey.
3. I’m mother’s little ………………
4.  a faithful …………… such as dog.
5. the thief’s ……………
6. find a good …………..
7. tennis / golf / bridge …………….
8. his …………….. in his criminal activities.

Ans : 

• business partner
• my companion on the journey.
• I’m mother’s little helper
• a faithful companion such as dog.
• the thief’s accomplice
• find a good helper
• tennis / golf / bridge partner
• his accomplice in his criminal activities.

3. Now let us look at the uses of the word break. Match the word with its meanings below. Try to find out at least three other ways in which to use the word.

1. The storm broke – could not speak; was too sad to speak
2. Daybreak – this kind of weather ended
3. His voice is beginning to break – it began or burst into activity
4. Her voice broke and she cried – the beginning of daylight
5. The heat wave broke – changing as he grows up
6. Broke the bad news – end it by making the workers submit
7. Break a strike – gently told someone the bad news
8. (Find your own expression. Give its meaning here)

Ans : 

• The storm broke – this kind of weather ended (The storm’s intensity subsided)
• Daybreak – the beginning of daylight
• His voice is beginning to break – changing as he grows up (Referring to voice changes during puberty)
• Her voice broke and she cried – could not speak; was too sad to speak (Her emotions caused a pause or crack in her voice)
• Broke the bad news – gently told someone the bad news
• Break a strike – end it by making the workers submit
• Breakdown – a machine failure

NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English Chapter 6

Writing 

1. Who do you think Mr Nath is? Write a paragraph or two about him.

Ans : The truth about Mr. Nath remains shrouded in mystery. Judging by the available clues, here are two possibilities:

The Suspicious Stranger (Maya’s Perspective):

Maya sees Mr. Nath as a secretive man with a potentially dark past. His withdrawn nature, lack of friends, and the scars on his face fuel her suspicion. The Sunday visitor becomes an accomplice in her mind, someone connected to Mr. Nath’s supposed criminal activities. This perspective paints him as an outsider, hiding from an unknown truth.

The Lonely Man (Nishad’s Perspective):

Nishad’s observations offer a contrasting view. He finds Mr. Nath thin and unremarkable, not fitting the image of a tough crook. The simple meals and quiet evenings suggest a life of solitude rather than criminal activity. The Sunday visitor might be a friend or a relative, someone who provides companionship in Mr. Nath’s isolated existence. This perspective paints him as a potentially harmless man yearning for connection.

2. What else do you think Nishad and Maya will find out about him? How? Will they ever be friends? Think about these questions and write a paragraph or two to continue the story.

Ans : 

Curiosity piqued, Maya and Nishad wouldn’t let Mr. Nath’s secret rest. Armed with Nishad’s newfound trust and Maya’s keen observation, they’d strategize. Maya might suggest following the Sunday visitor, hoping to learn about Mr. Nath’s past.  Nishad, on the other hand, might propose leaving a friendly note for Mr. Nath, perhaps offering homemade cookies baked with their mother.

Their investigation could lead them down different paths. Maya’s pursuit of the visitor might turn up dead ends, leaving her frustrated.  However, Nishad’s act of kindness could pay off.  A simple gesture like cookies might lead to a hesitant smile and a shared conversation, revealing glimpses of Mr. Nath’s life.

As they learn more, their initial suspicions might melt away.  They might discover Mr. Nath is a retired teacher, the scars a result of a childhood accident, and the Sunday visitor, his concerned nephew.  A friendship, born out of curiosity and dissolving suspicion, could blossom between the enigmatic Mr. Nath and the two inquisitive siblings.

NCERT Solutions for class 7 English chapter 6

Mystery of the Talking Fan

The poem “Mystery of the Talking Fan” by Maude Rubin explores a child’s imagination and the way everyday sounds can be interpreted in a whimsical way. Here’s the summary:

• The Talking Fan: The poem starts with the speaker describing a fan that seems to “chatter” as it whirls.
• Electrical Chatter: The speaker clarifies that the sound isn’t actual speech, but an “electrical chatter” – the mechanical noise of the fan.
• Trying to Understand: The child is captivated by the sound, hoping to decipher its meaning.
• Loss of Mystery: Sadly, the poem mentions the fan is oiled, which silences the “chatter.” Now, the fan runs smoothly but lacks the mysterious sound.
• Appreciation for the Mystery: The poem ends with a sense of loss, implying that the child misses the spark of imagination the “talking fan” once ignited.

Key Message:

The poem celebrates the power of a child’s imagination. The fan’s sound becomes a source of wonder and a reminder that sometimes, the unexplained can be more intriguing than the ordinary.

NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English Chapter 6

Working With Poem

1. Fans don’t talk, but it is possible to imagine that they do. What is it, then, that sounds like the fan’s chatter?

Ans : Even though fans can’t talk, the poem describes a sound like “electrical chatter.” This is likely the mechanical noise from the fan’s motor or blades creating a whirring, clicking, or scratching sound.

2. Complete the following sentences

1. The chatter is electrical because …………..
2. It is mysterious because ………………..

Ans : 

1. The chatter is electrical because it comes from the fan itself, not from an outside source like a person talking. It’s the sound of the motor or blades working.
2. It is mysterious because it’s not a clear or recognizable sound. The poem uses the word “chatter” which suggests something you can’t quite understand, sparking a sense of wonder about what the fan might be “saying.”

3. What do you think the talking fan was demanding?

Ans : The poem hints the talking fan likely wanted  oil. Oiling is a common fix for noisy fans, and the poem suggests the chatter stopped after oiling.

4. How does an electric fan managed to throw so much air when it is switched on?

Ans : An electric fan blows air because of spinning blades. Angled like airplane wings, they create lift as they spin, pushing air forward and creating a cool breeze.

5. Is there a “talking fan’ in your house? Create a dialogue between the fan and a mechanic.

Ans : 

Mechanic (wiping his forehead with a rag): Whew, it’s a scorcher out there. What seems to be the problem today, ma’am?

Fan (blades whirring slowly):  It’s this blasted heat!  I used to be able to whip up a real breeze, but now I’m barely pushing a whisper.  And don’t even get me started on this creaking!

Mechanic (chuckles): Now, now, easy there. Sounds like you’ve been working hard for a long time.  Let’s take a look.  (He examines the fan, checking the blades and motor)

Fan:  Well? Can you fix me? People are practically melting around here!

Mechanic:  Hmm, looks like you’re a bit dusty and your bearings are a little dry. Nothing a good cleaning and some lubrication can’t handle.

Fan:  Lubrication? Like a fancy oil change?

Mechanic:  (Smiling) Exactly! You’ll be feeling like a brand new fan in no time.  Once I’m done, you’ll be blowing everyone away!

Fan:  (Hopeful whirring)  Really? I can’t wait to feel the cool air rush through my blades again!

NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English Chapter 8

FAQ’s

What stories are covered in NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English Chapter 6?

Chapter 6 of Class 7 English includes two stories: “Expert Detective” and “Mystery of the Talking Fan.”

How do NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English Chapter 6 help in understanding these stories?

These solutions provide detailed analyses, summaries, and interpretations of each story, assisting students in grasping the themes, characters, and plot elements.

What is “Expert Detective” about ?

“Expert Detective” is a gripping tale about a young detective named Montmorency. It follows his adventures as he solves mysteries using his keen observation skills and deductive reasoning.

What is “Mystery of the Talking Fan” about?

This story revolves around a mysterious talking fan that seemingly communicates with a young girl named Meena. It explores themes of superstition, curiosity, and the power of imagination.

Are there any moral lessons or messages conveyed in these stories?

Yes, both stories convey important messages about the importance of critical thinking, problem-solving, and perseverance. They also emphasize the value of bravery and determination in overcoming challenges.