NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English - Dad and the Cat and the Tree

Q1. Why was Dad sure he wouldn't fall?

Ans: Dad was confident he wouldn't fall because:

• He believed he was a good climber.
• He thought climbing a tree was child's play.

His self-assurance led him to underestimate the risks involved.

Q2. Describe Plan A and its consequences.

Ans: Plan A involved Dad taking a ladder from the garden shed and placing it against the tree. Unfortunately, the ladder slipped, causing him to fall into the flower bed.

• Action: Dad retrieved a ladder.
• Outcome: The ladder slipped.
• Consequence: Dad landed in the flower bed.

Q3. Which phrase in the poem expresses Dad's self-confidence best?

Ans: The phrase in the poem that best expresses Dad's self-confidence is: “Easy as winking to a climber like me.”

Q4. Plan C was a success. What went wrong then?

Ans: Plan C was a success as Dad managed to climb the wall without falling. However, when he leapt onto the tree, he landed right where the cat was stuck. This startled the cat, causing it to jump down safely to the ground, thus freeing itself. Despite the success of the plan, the issue arose when Dad found himself stuck in the tree at the same spot.

Q5. The cat was very happy to be on the ground. Pick out the phrase used to express this idea. [Old NCERT]

Ans: The phrase used to express the cat's happiness is 'Pleased as Punch to be safe and sound.'

Q6. Describe the Cat and Dad situation in the beginning and at the end of the poem.

Ans: 

At the beginning of the poem: The cat is stuck in the tree. Dad is on the ground, ready to help.

By the end of the poem: The situation is reversed. Dad is now stuck in the tree. The cat is free and safely on the ground.

Q7. Why and when did Dad say each of the following? 

(i) Fall 

(ii) Never mind 

(iii) Funny joke 

(iv) Rubbish

Ans: 

(i) Dad said so when he was about to climb the tree for the first time and his wife asked him to be careful and not fall.
(ii) Dad said so when he fell off the ladder as it slipped and he landed on the flower bed. He said so while brushing off dirt from his hair, face, trousers, and shirt.
(iii) Dad said so when he went ahead to try plan B and his wife asked him to not fall again.
(iv) Dad said so when, during plan B, the branch on which he swung himself up broke, and he fell down heavily and as a result, his wife asked him to stop as he would break his neck.

Q8. Do you find the poem humorous? Read aloud lines which make you laugh. [Old NCERT]

Ans: The poem is humorous because the situation completely reverses at the end. Initially, Dad attempts to rescue the cat stuck in the tree, but he ends up stuck himself. The following points highlight the comedic elements:

• Dad's confidence: He confidently claims, "Child's play, this is!" before his attempts go wrong.
• Failed attempts: Each plan he tries leads to amusing mishaps, such as landing in the flower bed.
• Unexpected outcome: Instead of rescuing the cat, Dad ends up stuck in the tree while the cat is safe on the ground.

Overall, the contrast between Dad's self-assuredness and the reality of his situation adds to the humour.