Class 7 English Unit 4 NCERT Book - The Tunnel

 Page 1


The Tunnel Let us do these activities before we read. 
 I What kind of an adventure activity would you like to be a part of? 
Now, choose the option(s) that best applies to you.
 1. How would you like to spend your weekends?
 (i) Trying new activities  (ii) Reading a book 
 (iii) Spending time with friends (iv) Learning something new
 2. Which of these places would you prefer to explore?
 (i) Dense forests and clear streams
 (ii) Magical lands with fairies
 (iii) Busy cities with interesting people
 (iv) Quiet places to think and create
 3. Which one of these activities would you prefer to do?
 (i) Climbing a mountain or exploring a jungle
 (ii) Finding a hidden treasure or discovering a 
secret world
 (iii) Solving puzzles or guessing riddles with friends
 (iv) Making something creative or building a model
u niT 4
TRAVEL AND ADVENTURE
 4. What do you think about teamwork?
 (i) I love leading the team.
 (ii) I enjoy working with others.
 (iii) I prefer sharing ideas with friends.
 (iv) I like working alone.
Unit 4.indd   139 Unit 4.indd   139 07-Mar-25   1:52:07 PM 07-Mar-25   1:52:07 PM
Page 2


The Tunnel Let us do these activities before we read. 
 I What kind of an adventure activity would you like to be a part of? 
Now, choose the option(s) that best applies to you.
 1. How would you like to spend your weekends?
 (i) Trying new activities  (ii) Reading a book 
 (iii) Spending time with friends (iv) Learning something new
 2. Which of these places would you prefer to explore?
 (i) Dense forests and clear streams
 (ii) Magical lands with fairies
 (iii) Busy cities with interesting people
 (iv) Quiet places to think and create
 3. Which one of these activities would you prefer to do?
 (i) Climbing a mountain or exploring a jungle
 (ii) Finding a hidden treasure or discovering a 
secret world
 (iii) Solving puzzles or guessing riddles with friends
 (iv) Making something creative or building a model
u niT 4
TRAVEL AND ADVENTURE
 4. What do you think about teamwork?
 (i) I love leading the team.
 (ii) I enjoy working with others.
 (iii) I prefer sharing ideas with friends.
 (iv) I like working alone.
Unit 4.indd   139 Unit 4.indd   139 07-Mar-25   1:52:07 PM 07-Mar-25   1:52:07 PM
Poorvi 140
  Based on your choices, which of the following do you think applies 
the best to you? Discuss with your classmates. 
 • Bold Explorer • Imaginative Dreamer
 • Energetic Planner • Thoughtful Creator
  You may add to the list as per your choices.
 Let us read
shimmered: 
shined with 
a light that 
appears to 
move
railway 
embankment: 
a stone wall 
made to carry 
the railway over 
low ground
scrub-covered: 
covered with 
short trees and 
bushes
140
I
It was almost noon, and the jungle was very still, very silent. 
Heat waves shimmered along the railway embankment where 
it cut a path through the tall evergreen trees. The railway lines 
were two straight black serpents disappearing into the tunnel 
in the hillside.
Suraj stood near the cutting, waiting for the midday train. It 
wasn’t a station, and he wasn’t catching a train. He was waiting 
so that he could watch the steam engine come roaring out of 
the tunnel.
He had cycled out of the town and taken the jungle path until 
he had come to a small village. He had left the cycle there, and 
walked over a low scrub-covered hill and down to the tunnel 
exit.
Now he looked up. He had heard, in the distance, the shrill 
whistle of the engine. He couldn’t see anything, because 
the train was approaching from the other side of the hill;  
cutting: a 
narrow valley 
cut through a 
hill to make 
space for a 
railway line
Unit 4.indd   140 Unit 4.indd   140 07-Mar-25   1:52:08 PM 07-Mar-25   1:52:08 PM
Page 3


The Tunnel Let us do these activities before we read. 
 I What kind of an adventure activity would you like to be a part of? 
Now, choose the option(s) that best applies to you.
 1. How would you like to spend your weekends?
 (i) Trying new activities  (ii) Reading a book 
 (iii) Spending time with friends (iv) Learning something new
 2. Which of these places would you prefer to explore?
 (i) Dense forests and clear streams
 (ii) Magical lands with fairies
 (iii) Busy cities with interesting people
 (iv) Quiet places to think and create
 3. Which one of these activities would you prefer to do?
 (i) Climbing a mountain or exploring a jungle
 (ii) Finding a hidden treasure or discovering a 
secret world
 (iii) Solving puzzles or guessing riddles with friends
 (iv) Making something creative or building a model
u niT 4
TRAVEL AND ADVENTURE
 4. What do you think about teamwork?
 (i) I love leading the team.
 (ii) I enjoy working with others.
 (iii) I prefer sharing ideas with friends.
 (iv) I like working alone.
Unit 4.indd   139 Unit 4.indd   139 07-Mar-25   1:52:07 PM 07-Mar-25   1:52:07 PM
Poorvi 140
  Based on your choices, which of the following do you think applies 
the best to you? Discuss with your classmates. 
 • Bold Explorer • Imaginative Dreamer
 • Energetic Planner • Thoughtful Creator
  You may add to the list as per your choices.
 Let us read
shimmered: 
shined with 
a light that 
appears to 
move
railway 
embankment: 
a stone wall 
made to carry 
the railway over 
low ground
scrub-covered: 
covered with 
short trees and 
bushes
140
I
It was almost noon, and the jungle was very still, very silent. 
Heat waves shimmered along the railway embankment where 
it cut a path through the tall evergreen trees. The railway lines 
were two straight black serpents disappearing into the tunnel 
in the hillside.
Suraj stood near the cutting, waiting for the midday train. It 
wasn’t a station, and he wasn’t catching a train. He was waiting 
so that he could watch the steam engine come roaring out of 
the tunnel.
He had cycled out of the town and taken the jungle path until 
he had come to a small village. He had left the cycle there, and 
walked over a low scrub-covered hill and down to the tunnel 
exit.
Now he looked up. He had heard, in the distance, the shrill 
whistle of the engine. He couldn’t see anything, because 
the train was approaching from the other side of the hill;  
cutting: a 
narrow valley 
cut through a 
hill to make 
space for a 
railway line
Unit 4.indd   140 Unit 4.indd   140 07-Mar-25   1:52:08 PM 07-Mar-25   1:52:08 PM
Travel and a dven Ture 141
instinctively: 
without thought 
or plan
flinch: make a 
quick movement
plume of 
smoke: long, 
thin cloud of 
smoke
shisham: a 
tree found in 
northern parts 
of India
contemplation: 
deep thought
reassure: 
comfort, calm
but presently a sound like distant thunder issued from the 
tunnel, and he knew the train was coming through.
A second or two later, the steam engine shot out of the tunnel, 
snorting and puffing like some green, black, and gold dragon, 
some beautiful monster out of Suraj’s dreams. Showering 
sparks left and right, it roared a challenge to the jungle.
Instinctively, Suraj stepped back a few paces. Waves of hot 
steam struck him in the face. Even the trees seemed to flinch 
from the noise and heat. And then the train had gone, leaving 
only a plume of smoke to drift lazily over the tall shisham 
trees.
The jungle was still again. No one moved.
Suraj turned from his contemplation of the drifting smoke and 
began walking along the embankment towards the tunnel.
The tunnel grew darker as he walked further into it. When 
he had gone about twenty yards, it became pitch dark. Suraj 
had to turn and look back at the opening to reassure himself 
that there was still daylight outside. Ahead of him, the tunnel’s 
other opening was just a small round circle of light.
The tunnel was still full of smoke from the train, but it would 
be several hours before another train came through. Till then, 
the cutting belonged to the jungle again.
Unit 4.indd   141 Unit 4.indd   141 07-Mar-25   1:52:10 PM 07-Mar-25   1:52:10 PM
Page 4


The Tunnel Let us do these activities before we read. 
 I What kind of an adventure activity would you like to be a part of? 
Now, choose the option(s) that best applies to you.
 1. How would you like to spend your weekends?
 (i) Trying new activities  (ii) Reading a book 
 (iii) Spending time with friends (iv) Learning something new
 2. Which of these places would you prefer to explore?
 (i) Dense forests and clear streams
 (ii) Magical lands with fairies
 (iii) Busy cities with interesting people
 (iv) Quiet places to think and create
 3. Which one of these activities would you prefer to do?
 (i) Climbing a mountain or exploring a jungle
 (ii) Finding a hidden treasure or discovering a 
secret world
 (iii) Solving puzzles or guessing riddles with friends
 (iv) Making something creative or building a model
u niT 4
TRAVEL AND ADVENTURE
 4. What do you think about teamwork?
 (i) I love leading the team.
 (ii) I enjoy working with others.
 (iii) I prefer sharing ideas with friends.
 (iv) I like working alone.
Unit 4.indd   139 Unit 4.indd   139 07-Mar-25   1:52:07 PM 07-Mar-25   1:52:07 PM
Poorvi 140
  Based on your choices, which of the following do you think applies 
the best to you? Discuss with your classmates. 
 • Bold Explorer • Imaginative Dreamer
 • Energetic Planner • Thoughtful Creator
  You may add to the list as per your choices.
 Let us read
shimmered: 
shined with 
a light that 
appears to 
move
railway 
embankment: 
a stone wall 
made to carry 
the railway over 
low ground
scrub-covered: 
covered with 
short trees and 
bushes
140
I
It was almost noon, and the jungle was very still, very silent. 
Heat waves shimmered along the railway embankment where 
it cut a path through the tall evergreen trees. The railway lines 
were two straight black serpents disappearing into the tunnel 
in the hillside.
Suraj stood near the cutting, waiting for the midday train. It 
wasn’t a station, and he wasn’t catching a train. He was waiting 
so that he could watch the steam engine come roaring out of 
the tunnel.
He had cycled out of the town and taken the jungle path until 
he had come to a small village. He had left the cycle there, and 
walked over a low scrub-covered hill and down to the tunnel 
exit.
Now he looked up. He had heard, in the distance, the shrill 
whistle of the engine. He couldn’t see anything, because 
the train was approaching from the other side of the hill;  
cutting: a 
narrow valley 
cut through a 
hill to make 
space for a 
railway line
Unit 4.indd   140 Unit 4.indd   140 07-Mar-25   1:52:08 PM 07-Mar-25   1:52:08 PM
Travel and a dven Ture 141
instinctively: 
without thought 
or plan
flinch: make a 
quick movement
plume of 
smoke: long, 
thin cloud of 
smoke
shisham: a 
tree found in 
northern parts 
of India
contemplation: 
deep thought
reassure: 
comfort, calm
but presently a sound like distant thunder issued from the 
tunnel, and he knew the train was coming through.
A second or two later, the steam engine shot out of the tunnel, 
snorting and puffing like some green, black, and gold dragon, 
some beautiful monster out of Suraj’s dreams. Showering 
sparks left and right, it roared a challenge to the jungle.
Instinctively, Suraj stepped back a few paces. Waves of hot 
steam struck him in the face. Even the trees seemed to flinch 
from the noise and heat. And then the train had gone, leaving 
only a plume of smoke to drift lazily over the tall shisham 
trees.
The jungle was still again. No one moved.
Suraj turned from his contemplation of the drifting smoke and 
began walking along the embankment towards the tunnel.
The tunnel grew darker as he walked further into it. When 
he had gone about twenty yards, it became pitch dark. Suraj 
had to turn and look back at the opening to reassure himself 
that there was still daylight outside. Ahead of him, the tunnel’s 
other opening was just a small round circle of light.
The tunnel was still full of smoke from the train, but it would 
be several hours before another train came through. Till then, 
the cutting belonged to the jungle again.
Unit 4.indd   141 Unit 4.indd   141 07-Mar-25   1:52:10 PM 07-Mar-25   1:52:10 PM
Poorvi 142
Suraj didn’t stop, because there was nothing to do in the tunnel 
and nothing to see. He had simply wanted to walk through, so 
that he would know what the inside of a tunnel was really 
like. The walls were damp and sticky. A bat flew past. A lizard 
scuttled between the lines.
Coming straight from the darkness into the light, Suraj was 
dazzled by the sudden glare and put a hand up to shade his 
eyes. He looked up at the tree-covered hillside and thought he 
saw something moving between the trees.
scuttled: ran 
hurriedly
obstacles: 
things that 
block the way
porcupine: a 
small animal 
(large rodent) 
with sharp spikes 
on its back
dazzled: 
blinded by 
bright light
swishing: 
moving with a 
brushing sound
It was just a flash of orange and gold, 
and a long swishing tail. It was there 
between the trees for a second or 
two, and then it was gone.
About fifteen metres from the 
entrance to the tunnel stood the 
watchman’s hut. Marigolds grew in 
front of the hut, and at the back there 
was a small vegetable patch. It was 
the watchman’s duty to inspect the 
tunnel and keep it clear of obstacles. 
Every day, before the train came 
through, he would walk the length of 
the tunnel. If all was well, he would 
return to his hut and take a nap. If something was wrong, 
he would walk back up the line and wave a red flag, and the 
engine driver would slow down. At night, the watchman lit 
an oil lamp and made a similar inspection of the tunnel. Of 
course, he would not stop the train if there was a porcupine 
on the line. But if there was any danger to the train, he’d go 
back up the line and wave his lamp to the approaching engine. 
If all was well, he’d hang his lamp at the door of his hut and 
go to sleep.
He was just settling down on his cot for an afternoon nap 
when he saw the boy emerge from the tunnel. He waited until 
Suraj was only a metre or so away and then said, “Welcome, 
welcome. I don’t often have visitors. Sit down for a while, and 
tell me why you were inspecting my tunnel.”
“Is it your tunnel?” asked Suraj.
Unit 4.indd   142 Unit 4.indd   142 07-Mar-25   1:52:11 PM 07-Mar-25   1:52:11 PM
Page 5


The Tunnel Let us do these activities before we read. 
 I What kind of an adventure activity would you like to be a part of? 
Now, choose the option(s) that best applies to you.
 1. How would you like to spend your weekends?
 (i) Trying new activities  (ii) Reading a book 
 (iii) Spending time with friends (iv) Learning something new
 2. Which of these places would you prefer to explore?
 (i) Dense forests and clear streams
 (ii) Magical lands with fairies
 (iii) Busy cities with interesting people
 (iv) Quiet places to think and create
 3. Which one of these activities would you prefer to do?
 (i) Climbing a mountain or exploring a jungle
 (ii) Finding a hidden treasure or discovering a 
secret world
 (iii) Solving puzzles or guessing riddles with friends
 (iv) Making something creative or building a model
u niT 4
TRAVEL AND ADVENTURE
 4. What do you think about teamwork?
 (i) I love leading the team.
 (ii) I enjoy working with others.
 (iii) I prefer sharing ideas with friends.
 (iv) I like working alone.
Unit 4.indd   139 Unit 4.indd   139 07-Mar-25   1:52:07 PM 07-Mar-25   1:52:07 PM
Poorvi 140
  Based on your choices, which of the following do you think applies 
the best to you? Discuss with your classmates. 
 • Bold Explorer • Imaginative Dreamer
 • Energetic Planner • Thoughtful Creator
  You may add to the list as per your choices.
 Let us read
shimmered: 
shined with 
a light that 
appears to 
move
railway 
embankment: 
a stone wall 
made to carry 
the railway over 
low ground
scrub-covered: 
covered with 
short trees and 
bushes
140
I
It was almost noon, and the jungle was very still, very silent. 
Heat waves shimmered along the railway embankment where 
it cut a path through the tall evergreen trees. The railway lines 
were two straight black serpents disappearing into the tunnel 
in the hillside.
Suraj stood near the cutting, waiting for the midday train. It 
wasn’t a station, and he wasn’t catching a train. He was waiting 
so that he could watch the steam engine come roaring out of 
the tunnel.
He had cycled out of the town and taken the jungle path until 
he had come to a small village. He had left the cycle there, and 
walked over a low scrub-covered hill and down to the tunnel 
exit.
Now he looked up. He had heard, in the distance, the shrill 
whistle of the engine. He couldn’t see anything, because 
the train was approaching from the other side of the hill;  
cutting: a 
narrow valley 
cut through a 
hill to make 
space for a 
railway line
Unit 4.indd   140 Unit 4.indd   140 07-Mar-25   1:52:08 PM 07-Mar-25   1:52:08 PM
Travel and a dven Ture 141
instinctively: 
without thought 
or plan
flinch: make a 
quick movement
plume of 
smoke: long, 
thin cloud of 
smoke
shisham: a 
tree found in 
northern parts 
of India
contemplation: 
deep thought
reassure: 
comfort, calm
but presently a sound like distant thunder issued from the 
tunnel, and he knew the train was coming through.
A second or two later, the steam engine shot out of the tunnel, 
snorting and puffing like some green, black, and gold dragon, 
some beautiful monster out of Suraj’s dreams. Showering 
sparks left and right, it roared a challenge to the jungle.
Instinctively, Suraj stepped back a few paces. Waves of hot 
steam struck him in the face. Even the trees seemed to flinch 
from the noise and heat. And then the train had gone, leaving 
only a plume of smoke to drift lazily over the tall shisham 
trees.
The jungle was still again. No one moved.
Suraj turned from his contemplation of the drifting smoke and 
began walking along the embankment towards the tunnel.
The tunnel grew darker as he walked further into it. When 
he had gone about twenty yards, it became pitch dark. Suraj 
had to turn and look back at the opening to reassure himself 
that there was still daylight outside. Ahead of him, the tunnel’s 
other opening was just a small round circle of light.
The tunnel was still full of smoke from the train, but it would 
be several hours before another train came through. Till then, 
the cutting belonged to the jungle again.
Unit 4.indd   141 Unit 4.indd   141 07-Mar-25   1:52:10 PM 07-Mar-25   1:52:10 PM
Poorvi 142
Suraj didn’t stop, because there was nothing to do in the tunnel 
and nothing to see. He had simply wanted to walk through, so 
that he would know what the inside of a tunnel was really 
like. The walls were damp and sticky. A bat flew past. A lizard 
scuttled between the lines.
Coming straight from the darkness into the light, Suraj was 
dazzled by the sudden glare and put a hand up to shade his 
eyes. He looked up at the tree-covered hillside and thought he 
saw something moving between the trees.
scuttled: ran 
hurriedly
obstacles: 
things that 
block the way
porcupine: a 
small animal 
(large rodent) 
with sharp spikes 
on its back
dazzled: 
blinded by 
bright light
swishing: 
moving with a 
brushing sound
It was just a flash of orange and gold, 
and a long swishing tail. It was there 
between the trees for a second or 
two, and then it was gone.
About fifteen metres from the 
entrance to the tunnel stood the 
watchman’s hut. Marigolds grew in 
front of the hut, and at the back there 
was a small vegetable patch. It was 
the watchman’s duty to inspect the 
tunnel and keep it clear of obstacles. 
Every day, before the train came 
through, he would walk the length of 
the tunnel. If all was well, he would 
return to his hut and take a nap. If something was wrong, 
he would walk back up the line and wave a red flag, and the 
engine driver would slow down. At night, the watchman lit 
an oil lamp and made a similar inspection of the tunnel. Of 
course, he would not stop the train if there was a porcupine 
on the line. But if there was any danger to the train, he’d go 
back up the line and wave his lamp to the approaching engine. 
If all was well, he’d hang his lamp at the door of his hut and 
go to sleep.
He was just settling down on his cot for an afternoon nap 
when he saw the boy emerge from the tunnel. He waited until 
Suraj was only a metre or so away and then said, “Welcome, 
welcome. I don’t often have visitors. Sit down for a while, and 
tell me why you were inspecting my tunnel.”
“Is it your tunnel?” asked Suraj.
Unit 4.indd   142 Unit 4.indd   142 07-Mar-25   1:52:11 PM 07-Mar-25   1:52:11 PM
Travel and a dven Ture 143
“It is,” said the watchman. “It is truly my tunnel, since no one 
else will have anything to do with it. I have only lent it to the 
Government.”
Suraj sat down on the edge of the cot.
“I wanted to see the train come through,” he said. “And then, 
when it had gone, I thought I’d walk through the tunnel.”
“And what did you find in it?”
“Nothing. It was very dark. But when I came out, I thought I 
saw an animal—up on the hill—but I’m not sure, it moved off 
very quickly.”
“It was a leopard you saw,” said the watchman. “My leopard.” 
“Do you own a leopard too?”
“I do.”
“And do you lend it to the Government?” 
“I do not.”
“Is it dangerous?”
“No, it’s a leopard that minds its own business. It comes to this 
range for a few days every month.”
“Have you been here a long time?” asked Suraj. 
“Many years. My name is Sunder Singh.”
“My name’s Suraj.”
“There is one train during the day. And there is one train 
range: area
Unit 4.indd   143 Unit 4.indd   143 07-Mar-25   1:52:13 PM 07-Mar-25   1:52:13 PM