NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English Unit 3 My Brother's Great Invention

Let us do these activities before we read (Page 92)

QI. Guess the invention: 

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

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

QII: Discuss in groups of four what you think the world today would have been like without inventions and discoveries.
Ans: Without inventions, life would be hard. No electricity, phones, or cars. People would travel on foot or animals, communicate by letters, and live without modern medicine or machines.

QIII: Fill the grid given below with missing letters to complete the words. These words display qualities of an inventor.

Ans: 

Let us discuss (Page 94)

QI: Complete the cause-and-effect table given below.

Ans: 

QII: Do you think Anand was able to keep his promise regarding the time machine? If yes, why? If no, why not?
Ans: No, Anand likely didn’t keep his promise. He was excited about his time machine and offended when his parents didn’t trust it, so he might have tested it when alone.

Let us discuss (Page 98)

Q: Arrange the following events in the correct order of occurrence.

1. The door swings open, and they see Boppa, standing there with an evil grin.
2. Boppa is nowhere to be found, but his green scarf is lying near the time machine.
3. Mrs. Sharma, her husband, and Dr. Mohan unlock the door and enter the house to help the children.
4. Anita wakes Anand up, informing him that someone is trying to get into the house.
5. Anand misleads Boppa into entering his room instead of his father’s room.

Ans: 1. Anita wakes Anand up, informing him that someone is trying to get into the house.
2. The door swings open, and they see Boppa, standing there with an evil grin.
3. Anand misleads Boppa into entering his room instead of his father’s room.
4. Mrs. Sharma, her husband, and Dr. Mohan unlock the door and enter the house to help the children.
5. Boppa is nowhere to be found, but his green scarf is lying near the time machine.

Let us think and reflect (Page 99)

QI. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.

1. Before beginning this story, let me put you in the picture. I am Anita, fourteen years old. My brother Anand, one year younger than me, caused all that hoo-ha with his burglar alarm. The trouble with him is that he thinks he is a scientist. He loves tinkering with all sorts of electrical gadgets, tools, dynamos, planks of wood, and things like that. And he keeps creating ‘inventions’ that never work out as they are supposed to.

(i): Complete the following sentence suitably by choosing the correct option from those given in the brackets.

When Anita says, "...let me put you in the picture", she wants to __________ (introduce/summarise) the situation for the benefit of the readers.
Ans: introduce

(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
Ans: A. dismantling and creating

(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
Ans: B. creative and experimental

(iv): Based on the extract, compare what Anita thinks of her brother Anand with what he thinks of himself.
Ans: Anita thinks Anand’s inventions are troublesome and don’t work, causing problems. Anand thinks he is a scientist and his inventions are great.

2. I was about to direct him upstairs when Anand said quickly, “The one next to this one.” 
“You silly goose!” I said angrily as soon as the man had gone. “That’s your room. He’ll come back as mad as mad can be.” 
“At least it will give us some time to think of something,” Anand said. “He’ll take a while to locate the light switch. Let’s shout.”All of a sudden there was a crash followed by a loud scream. More strange noises emerged from the next room—a few muffled thumps, an eerie whine, and a low, humming sound.

(i): Anita was angry with Anand because __________
Ans: he sent the thief to his room, which could make the thief angrier and more dangerous.

(ii): Which action of Anand shows his presence of mind?
Ans: Anand quickly misled Boppa to his room instead of his father’s room to buy time.

(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
Ans: B. Anand’s time machine getting activated

(iv): Which of the following best describes the atmosphere in this extract?
A. relaxing B. peaceful C. tense D. sad E. suspenseful F. joyful
(a) A, D and E 
(b) B and F 
(c) C and E 
(d) Only D
Ans: c. tense and suspenseful

QII: Complete the table with the suitable traits of the characters based on evidence from the text.

Ans:

QIII. Answer the following questions.

1: What prompted Anand to create the burglar alarm?
Ans: A rush of thefts in the colony made Anand think a burglar alarm was needed.

2: How did Anand’s father become the target of the burglar alarm?
Ans: The alarm was set to work when the door was opened softly, and Papa opened the door softly, triggering the water bag.

3: How did Anand’s parents and sister react to his ideas?
Ans: Parents and sister's reaction:

• Parents: They were sceptical and worried. They didn’t fully understand his ideas and thought he was being too imaginative or unrealistic. They were concerned about the practicality of his inventions.
• Sister (Leela): She was supportive and encouraging. Unlike the parents, she showed interest in Anand’s ideas and gave him emotional support, which motivated him to continue working on his invention.

4: How did Anand behave when he was on his ‘inventing binges’?
Ans: Anand was messy, didn’t comb his hair, made noise with hammering and sawing, and took apart gadgets for parts.

5: Why did Mr. Sharma not believe Anand when he spoke about his time machine?
Ans: Mr. Sharma thought Anand’s idea that the time machine worked was just his imagination, as it seemed impossible.

6: Give an ending to this story, explaining what might have happened to Boppa.
Ans: Boppa might have been scared by the time machine’s noises and ran away, dropping his scarf. He left the house before the neighbours arrived, which is why they couldn’t find him.

Let us learn (Page 101)

I. Read the highlighted word in the following sentence. 

It’s quite simple. The moment the door opens, this alarm is tripped off and makes a clanging sound. 

Such sound words are called onomatopoeic words.

Onomatopoeia is the use of words that imitate actual sounds of the thing they describe. The ‘boom’ of a firework exploding, the ‘ding-dong’ of a bell, the ‘pitter-patter’ of rain drops, the ‘tick-tock’ of a clock are all examples of onomatopoeia.

1: Read the sound words used in the story in Column 1. Complete Column 2 by matching expressions from the box given below. An example has been done for you.

Ans:

II. Read the highlighted phrase in the following sentence from the text. 

Well, that was the end of peace and quiet in the house. 

The highlighted phrase displays a combination of two words generally used together in a fixed order. Such phrases are called binomials.

Binomials are expressions consisting of two words, usually linked by a conjunction such as ‘and’ or ‘or’, that are commonly used together in a fixed order. The two words convey a single meaning or an opposite.

1: Match the words in Column 1 with the correct pairs in Column 2 to make binomials.

Ans: 

2: Complete the following sentences with suitable binomials from 1.

(i) This project will be a ______________ moment for our team’s success.
(ii) After a long journey, we were relieved to arrive home______________.
(iii) Every friendship works well when there is a balance of______________.
(iv) She organised all the ______________ in the cupboard, to make space for new clothes.
(v) Before making a decision, it is important to weigh the______________ carefully.
(vi) This is our final chance to perform on stage, it is ______________.

Ans:

 (i) This project will be a make-or-break moment for our team’s success.
(ii) After a long journey, we were relieved to arrive home safe and sound.
(iii) Every friendship works well when there is a balance of give and take.
(iv) She organised all the odds and ends in the cupboard, to make space for new clothes.
(v) Before making a decision, it is important to weigh the pros and cons carefully.
(vi) This is our final chance to perform on stage, it is now or never.

3: Complete the paragraph by using the phrasal verbs given in the box below.

It had been raining and we (i) ___________ time to set up for the function, so we quickly (ii) ___________ some decorations using whatever materials we had. We accidentally (iii) ___________ the fire alarm because of the smoke from the bonfire. Thankfully, the rain(iv) ___________ just as the guests were arriving, and despite all the chaos, the function (v) ___________ to be a huge success.

Ans: 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.

QIII: Read the highlighted expressions in the following sentence from the text.

And this is not the first time he’s got on Papa’s nerves or frightened someone half to death in the house. 

The highlighted expressions are called idioms.

Complete the following sentences by filling in the blanks with suitable idioms from the text given in the box below.

1. Shekhar knew he would _______________________ for breaking his mother’s favourite flower vase.
2. We _______________________ trying to help the injured dog and get it to the vet as quickly as possible.
3. Faizy distracted Kanchan, _______________________ for us to get inside the room to prepare the birthday surprise.
4. The constant power fluctuations during meetings can_______________________.
5. When I am alone at home, any unexpected loud noise in the night can _______________________.
Ans: 1. Shekhar knew he would get a shelling for breaking his mother’s favourite flower vase.
2. We fell over ourselves trying to help the injured dog and get it to the vet as quickly as possible.
3. Faizy distracted Kanchan, leaving the coast clear for us to get inside the room to prepare the birthday surprise.
4. The constant power fluctuations during meetings can get on our nerves.
5. When I am alone at home, any unexpected loud noise in the night can frighten me half to death.

QIV. Read the highlighted words in the given sentence. 

It was indeed the fellow who had recently begun sweeping out the compounds in our row of houses. 

Here we refer to two completed actions─the recent past (new action) and the later past (old action).

1: Underline the verbs in simple past and past perfect tense for the following sentences from the text.

(i) Ma had rushed in to see what the racket was all about and found Papa standing there, sopping wet and scowling.
(ii) Anand had vanished by this time and reappeared only after dinner when Papa had cooled down.

Ans: (i) Ma had rushed in to see what the racket was all about and found Papa standing there, sopping wet and scowling.
(ii) Anand had vanished by this time and reappeared only after dinner when Papa had cooled down.

2: Fill in the blanks with the simple past or past perfect form of the verbs given in brackets.

(i) After Rohan A. __________ (finish) his homework, he B. __________(decide) to go for a walk. He C. __________ (leave) the house and D. __________ (realise) he E. __________ (forget) his keys inside.
(ii) By the time we A. __________ (reach) the station, the train B. __________ (already/leave). We C. __________ (wait) for the next one to arrive.
Ans: (i) After Rohan had finished his homework, he decided to go for a walk. He left the house and realised he had forgotten his keys inside.
(ii) By the time we reached the station, the train had already left. We waited for the next one to arrive.

3: Combine the pairs of sentences using the time expressions in the boxes given below and rewrite them using the past perfect tenses.

Ans: (i) Rohan had packed his suitcase before he left for the airport.
(ii) We had started work before he arrived in the morning.
(iii) They had set up the tents before the others brought food and medicine.
(iv) The students had become quiet when they heard the teacher coming.
(v) The villagers had left the village by the time the flood submerged the entire area.

Let us listen (Page 105)

• Anita accepts Toby as her friend.
• Anita asks Toby about one of his facial features.
• Toby shares that he can see much clearer with a closed eye.

False Statements:

• Toby misses his school. (Incorrect – He says he misses his people and home, not school.)
• Toby tells Anita that she had a banana for breakfast. (Incorrect – He says she had an apple.)

II) Listen to the conversation again and fill in the blanks with the exact words you hear. 
1. Toby: I miss my _________________ and home. 
2. Toby: Well, we _________________ don’t need to eat anything. We get our _________________ from the Sun. 
3. Anita: Oh! Don’t you ever feel like having ice creams and _________________? 
4. Anita: Okay, tell me one thing. How are you able to see with only_________________ eye? 
5. Toby: I can see beyond mountains and _________________, woods and even _________________. 

Ans: 

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.

Let us speak (Page 105)

QI: I Read the following sentences from the text.

As usual, I had to be involved, though I’d have preferred to finish my novel. 
“We’re old enough to look after ourselves, Ma,” I said. 

The word ‘though’ is pronounced to rhyme with the word ‘low’. The word ‘enough’ is pronounced to rhyme with the word ‘puff’.

In English there are many words ending with –ough, which are pronounced very differently. Listen to the teacher say these words aloud and notice how they are pronounced.

Pronounce these words out loud and put them in the correct boxes given below.

Ans: 

Let us write (Page 106)

Think about different vocations that you see around or you are currently studying. For example: electrician, mechanic, chef, nurse, graphic designer. You may add more vocations to the list given here.

Now, choose a vocation and write a paragraph. You may use the hints given below.

• why you like this vocation 
• what training is needed 
• what tools and equipment are required 
• who would your co-workers be 
• highlight the importance of team work 
• how you would deal with the customers 
• how you plan to pursue it with a sense of pride

Ans: 

I want to become a chef because I love cooking and enjoy creating new dishes. Chefs bring joy to people through tasty and healthy food. To become a good chef, I would need to attend a cooking school or take special training in culinary arts. I would learn about different recipes, food safety, and kitchen skills.

Chefs use many tools like knives, frying pans, ovens, blenders, and measuring cups. My co-workers would be other chefs, kitchen assistants, waiters, and restaurant managers. Teamwork is very important in a kitchen. Everyone must work together and help each other so that food is prepared on time and served properly.

As a chef, I would always be polite and respectful to customers. I would listen to their feedback and try to improve. I plan to work hard, stay creative, and feel proud of my job. Cooking for others is not just work—it’s a way to make people happy.

Let us explore (Page 107)

Human beings are naturally very curious and creative, and this has led to many scientific and technological inventions. You must have heard about many famous inventions. Some of them are mentioned below. You may look for the names of more such Indian inventors and their inventions.

• Sushruta (sixth century B.C.), was a pioneer figure in medical science. His innovations in surgery paved the way for modern surgery.

• Dr. Janaki Ammal (Padma Shri) was a brilliant woman scientist of India who made a significant contribution to the field of cytogenetics. 

• Under the directorship of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (Bharat Ratna), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched the satellite Rohini in near-earth orbit with India’s first Satellite Launch Vehicle in 1980 (the project was named ‘SLV-III’)

• Dr. Narinder Singh Kapany (Padma Vibhushan) is known as Father of Fibre Optics. He played a pivotal role in inventing fibre optics. He was named one of the seven ‘Unsung Heroes of the Twentieth Century’ for his invention.