Textbook Solutions: The Scholarship Jacket | Gul Mohar Class 7: Book Solutions, Summaries & Worksheets PDF Download

Before You Read

Answer these Questions.

Q2. Why do you want to win it? What meaning does it have for you?
Ans: Winning this award would mean recognition of my hard work. It would also bring pride and happiness to my family, who always support me in my studies and encourage me to do better.

Q3. What do you have to do to win it? What challenges will you have to overcome?
Ans: To win it, I must maintain excellent grades and show consistent effort. I also need to overcome challenges like strong competition, unfair bias, and sometimes financial difficulties that may come in the way.

While Reading

Q2. Say which of the two teachers is trying to –
1. make those in power happy.
2. do the right thing.
Ans: 1. Mr Boone is trying to make people in power happy.
2. Mr Schmidt is trying to do the right thing by supporting Martha’s merit and opposing unfair treatment.

Q3. The argument between Mr Schmidt and Mr Boone makes Martha feel …
Ans: She feels shocked, dismayed, and humiliated. She realises that despite her hard work, unfairness and discrimination are being used against her, which breaks her confidence and hurts her self-respect.

Q4. Why is the principal clearing his throat and not meeting Martha’s eyes?
Ans: The principal feels guilty and uncomfortable about the unfair decision. He knows asking Martha to pay for the jacket is wrong, so he avoids her eyes and speaks nervously.

Q5. This story could have several different endings with different outcomes. Two different ways the story could go are …
Ans: 1. Martha may lose the jacket since her grandfather refuses to pay for it.
2. The principal could realise his mistake and finally award her the jacket on merit.

Q6. What are the crops that are cultivated in your state? What are they used for?
Ans: Example: In many regions, wheat and rice are grown. They are mainly used as food and are also traded in the market, providing income to farmers and feeding many people.

Q7. Martha was … about telling her grandfather her news. She had to be honest because her grandfather was a … and … man.
Ans:  Martha was nervous. She had to be honest because her grandfather was a wise and dignified man who valued truth and integrity above everything else.

Q8. Martha’s grandfather is physically and emotionally tired. He is emotionally tired because …
Ans: He has worked hard all his life, carrying family responsibilities while facing poverty. The struggles left him emotionally tired, though he still remained strong and wise in his principles.

Q9. Why do you think the principal changed his mind?
Ans: The principal changed his mind after hearing Martha’s grandfather’s words. His honesty and refusal to pay showed real integrity, making the principal realise fairness mattered more than money or pressure.

Q10. What are the colours you would use to represent each character? Say why you chose those colours.
a. Martha
b. Grandpa
c. the principal
d. Mr Schmidt
Ans: (a) Martha: Blue – shows honesty, hard work, and calmness.
(b) Grandpa: Brown – shows wisdom, earthiness, and strength.
(c) The principal: Grey – shows guilt, weakness, and confusion.
(d) Mr Schmidt: White – shows truth, justice, and fairness.

Understanding the Text

A. Complete this table.

Ans: 

B. Answer these questions.

Q2. What is the jacket the only chance for? Why is it the only chance? (para 2)
Ans: The jacket was the only chance for poor students like Martha to own a school jacket. They could not afford sports fees, so this scholarship jacket was their only opportunity.

Q3. What do Mr Boone and Mr Schmidt argue about? Why were they arguing? (paras 4 and 5)
Ans: They argued about giving the jacket to Joann even though Martha had better grades. Mr Schmidt opposed this unfairness, while Mr Boone wanted to please people in power.

Q4. What could Mr Schmidt mean by “Martha is Mexican …”? How does this make the situation even worse for Martha? (para 6)
Ans: He meant that Martha was being discriminated against for her background. This made the situation worse as it showed her merit was ignored due to prejudice against her heritage.

Q5. Has there really been a change in the policy as the principal said? (para 8)
Ans: No, there was no real change in policy. The excuse of charging for the jacket was used to deny Martha her rightful reward unfairly.

Q6. Why does Martha describe herself as ‘withdrawn’? What does this tell you about her personality when she is not sad? (para 20)
Ans:  She described herself as withdrawn since she felt powerless and quiet. Normally, she was confident, proud, and hardworking, but sadness made her lose her usual strength.

Q7. Why was there a change in the principal’s attitude towards the problem? (paras 24–27)
Ans: The principal realised Martha’s grandfather was right. Charging for a scholarship would destroy its meaning. His guilt and sense of fairness made him finally allow Martha to receive the jacket.

Q8. Martha’s grandfather says little, but his words and actions mean much to Martha. What does Martha learn from him?
Ans: She learns the value of integrity and dignity. Her grandfather showed that true achievements cannot be bought with money, teaching her the importance of honesty and moral strength.

Q9. Circle the words that describe Grandpa.
• impatient • sharp • wise • impulsive • dignified
Ans: Wise, dignified.

Appreciating the Text

Q2. Describe how the minor characters interact with Martha.
Ans:

• Mr Schmidt: Supports Martha and defends her merit.
• Mr Boone: Values influence over fairness, dismissing her feelings.
• The principal: Weak and unfair at first, later guilty and willing to change.

Q3. What do we know about Martha’s grandfather? How do all these things help him influence the outcome of this story?
Ans: He is wise, honest, and values dignity. His refusal to pay shows strength and forces the principal to realise the true meaning of the award, ensuring Martha gets justice.