NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English - The Bear Story

Answer the following questions:

Q1 : Where did the lady find the bear cub? How did she bring it up?
Ans : The lady found the bear cub in the forest. It was half dead of hunger, and very small and helpless. It had to be brought up on the bottle by the lady and the old cook.

Q2 : What did the bear eat? There were two things he was not allowed to do. What were they?
Ans: The bear ate bread, porridge, potato, cabbage, and turnip. He was not allowed to pluck apples off the trees. He learnt later that it was against the law. He was also not allowed to touch the beehives. He was punished for doing so by being put on the chain.

Q3 : When was the bear tied up with a chain? Why?
Ans: The bear was tied up with a chain at night. He was also tied up on Sundays as his mistress used to spend the afternoon with her married sister. She did so because she did not think it was good for him to wander about in the forest with all its temptations.

Q4 :  What happened one Sunday when the lady was going to her sister's house? What did the lady do? What was the bear's reaction?
Ans : One Sunday when the lady was going to her sister's house, she saw a bear coming along at full speed. Thinking that he was her pet, the lady got very angry. Being already late for lunch, she scolded him and told him to go back. She saw that he had even lost his new collar. This made her angrier, and she hit him on his nose with her parasol. The parasol broke in two. The bear opened his mouth several times as if he wanted to say something, and then it turned around and went on its way.

Q5 : Why was the bear looking sorry for himself in the evening? Why did the cook get angry with her mistress?
Ans: The bear was looking sorry for himself in the evening because he had been chained all day and he could not do his usual activities. When his mistress returned, she scolded him, thinking that it was him she saw in the forest. She said that as punishment, he would have to remain chained for two more days. The cook loved the bear as her child and could not bear to see the bear being scolded like that. This was why she got angry. She told the mistress that the bear had been very good the whole day, and had been sitting outside his kennel, looking at the gate and waiting for her to come back.

Discuss the following topics in group:

Q1: Most people keep dogs and cats as pets. Can you think of some unusual pets that people keep?
Ans: This question requires you to use your own perspective as well as your analytical skills. The answer to the question would vary from one person to another. It is suggested that you read the text carefully and try attempting it on your own.

Q2 : The second bear did not attack the lady because he was afraid of her. Do you agree?
Ans: The second bear did not attack the lady because he too was a friendly bear. He was charging towards her and it seemed as if he wanted to sit near her heels. Thinking that he was her pet bear, the lady scolded him and even hit him with her parasol. The bear did not respond angrily, and slowly turned around and went away, perhaps sad at being shouted at.