Class 7 English Oxford Question Answers - The Narayanpur Incident

Short Questions

Q1: Who was arrested in the beginning of the story?
Ans: A teacher in a small town, who followed Gandhiji, was arrested at the beginning of the story.

Q2: What was the age of Mohan and what was his role in the story?
Ans: Mohan was seventeen years old. He was one of the leaders in the student procession against the British.

Q3: Where were Babu and Manju going and why?
Ans: Babu and Manju were going to watch a procession of college students walking from their college to the Collector’s office.

Q4: Who is Mohan and what did he do during the procession?
Ans: Mohan was the elder son of the arrested teacher. During the procession, he was dressed in white pyjamas and a cream-coloured shirt, and he was holding aloft a picture of the Mahatma.

Q5: What was the notice that Mohan and the students gave to the police officer?
Ans: The notice that Mohan and the students gave to the police officer was a declaration of their intention to fight against British rule, and it asked the British to quit India or face the consequences.

Q6: What did the mysterious parcel turn out to be?
Ans: The mysterious parcel turned out to be a cyclostyling machine.

Q7: What was the role of Babu when Mohan, Amma, and Suman were in the puja room?
Ans: Babu's role was to sit out in the front room and keep watch. He was to give a warning if anyone seemed to be coming to their house.

Q8: Who came to their house after the nine o'clock siren and what did he want?
Ans: Patil, the Sub-Inspector, came to their house after the nine o'clock siren. He wanted to inform them about an impending search in their house.

Q9: What did Patil inform them about the search in their house?
Ans: Patil informed them that there was going to be a search in their house that night as they were suspected of making copies of the Mahatma’s speech with a cyclostyle machine and hiding people in their house.

Q10: What happened to the cyclostyling machine?
Ans: The cyclostyling machine was given to Patil by Mohan to keep it safe from the impending police search.

Long Questions

Q1: How did the family members react when Patil, the Sub-Inspector, visited their house and what did he ask them to do?
Ans: When Patil, the Sub-Inspector, visited their house, the family members were initially suspicious and angry. Mohan in particular was against trusting Patil. However, Amma trusted Patil and complied with his request to hand over the cyclostyle machine to him for safekeeping.

Q2: What was the purpose of the procession that the college students were taking out and how did they handle the situation when they were stopped by the police officer?
Ans: The purpose of the procession was to peacefully protest against the British rule. When they were stopped by the police officer, the students did not resort to violence. Instead, they handed over a notice to the police officer, declaring their intention to fight against the British rule.

Q3. Why was Mohan pleased with himself after the procession and how did he explain his actions to Babu and Manju?
Ans: Mohan was pleased with himself after the procession because everything had gone according to plan. He explained to Babu and Manju that they had intentionally avoided violence knowing that the police expected them to react violently. This was their strategy to avoid getting arrested and to continue causing trouble for the British.

Q4: What was the role of the cyclostyling machine in the story and how was it utilized by the family members?
Ans: The cyclostyle machine was used to make copies of the Mahatma’s speech. After Patil warned them about the impending search, the machine was given to him for safekeeping

Q5: How did the family react when the police came to their house for a search and what was the outcome of it?
Ans: When the police came to their house for a search, the family was initially frightened but they managed to stay calm. Thanks to Patil's timely warning, the cyclostyling machine had been removed from the house, so the police did not find anything incriminating during the search.

Value Based Questions

Q1: The family in "The Narayanpur Incident" chose to resist British rule peacefully. Why is nonviolent resistance important in a struggle for freedom?

Ans: Nonviolent resistance is important because it allows people to fight against injustice without causing harm or destruction. It helps to maintain peace and prevents unnecessary loss of lives. The Quit India Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi showed that even without weapons, people could stand up against oppression through unity and determination. The family in the story followed the principle of peaceful resistance, showing courage and patience. Their actions remind us that true strength lies in standing firm for a cause without resorting to violence.

Q2: Amma and her children stood strong despite the fear of British authorities. What does this tell us about the role of families in difficult times?

Ans: Families play a crucial role in supporting and guiding each other during tough times. In the story, Amma and her children demonstrated unity, bravery, and resilience even when the police arrived at their house. Instead of panicking, they handled the situation wisely, showing the importance of trust and cooperation. This teaches us that in any struggle, whether personal or social, family members can be our greatest source of strength and support.

Q3: Mohan, Babu, and Manju took part in the freedom struggle despite being young. What lesson does this teach about responsibility and courage?

Ans: The story teaches that courage is not limited to age. Even young individuals can contribute to important causes if they have determination and a sense of responsibility. Mohan, Babu, and Manju understood the value of their nation's freedom and took risks to support the movement. This inspires us to be responsible citizens, stand up for justice, and take action when needed, regardless of how small our efforts may seem.

Q4: The students in the story protested peacefully without engaging in violence. Why is discipline and patience necessary when fighting for a cause?

Ans: Discipline and patience help in achieving long-term success in any movement. The students in the story did not lose their temper or act recklessly when they presented their demands to the authorities. Their silent procession symbolized strength and unity, proving that change can be brought about without aggression. This teaches us that achieving meaningful change requires perseverance, self-control, and a firm belief in our cause.

Q5: Amma handed over the cyclostyling machine to the police despite knowing its importance. What does this decision tell us about making sacrifices for a greater good?

Ans: Amma’s decision to hand over the cyclostyling machine shows that sometimes sacrifices are necessary for a greater cause. She knew that resisting arrest or hiding the machine could put her family in danger, so she acted wisely. This teaches us that doing the right thing often requires personal sacrifices, but such decisions can lead to greater achievements in the long run.