Textbook Solutions: The Unusual Spectator | Buzzword Class 7: Book Solutions, Summaries & Worksheets PDF Download

(A) Answer these questions. 

1.
Ans: Sheroo’s team was better than Ranji’s team because the village boys in Sheroo's team lived near each other and practiced a lot together. They had good coordination and regular practice sessions, unlike Ranji's team, whose members were scattered around the town.

2.
Ans: Nakoo was a crocodile who lived in the river. People could not see much of him because he swam low in the water and glided smoothly through tall grasses near the river. Sometimes he came out on the riverbank to bask in the sun, but he preferred to avoid people, especially cricketers, due to the noise they made.

3.
Ans: The boys initially tried throwing pebbles at Nakoo, but it had no effect. Then, Prem took a ball and threw it at Nakoo, hitting him on the snout. Startled and stung, Nakoo moved away from the pitch and into the water.

4.
Ans: Sheroo got out when Mani bowled him a ball. After Sheroo's dismissal, the village team's batting side faced a series of dismissals, and their innings ended with a modest total of 145 runs.

5.
Ans: No one noticed Nakoo sliding beneath the bank manager's cot because everyone was focused on watching the cricket match. The excitement of the game and the delicious food during the lunch break diverted their attention from Nakoo's movements.

(B) Read these lines from the text and answer the questions. 

1. Nakoo got his teeth into the hall and chewed. Revenge was sweet. 
(a)
Ans: Nakoo was avenging the ball hitting him on the snout.

(b)
Ans: Sheroo hit a hard and high shot towards the river, and Nakoo, seeing the ball coming towards him, opened his jaws wide, causing the ball to land in his mouth.

(c)
Ans: After tasting the ball, Nakoo decided to snap up any other balls that came his way.

2. The flics did not seem to bother him anymore. 
(a)
Ans: 'Him' refers to the bank manager.

(b)
Ans: The flies had been bothering the bank manager when he was batting, and he claimed that a fly got in his eye.

(c)
Ans: The flies were not bothering him anymore after he swatted at them and went to sleep on the cot beneath the banyan tree.

(C) Answer in detail. 

1.
Ans: The adults in Ranji's team controlled things by providing support in various ways:

• The fathers of some players occasionally joined the game, even though they were not very good, to support and encourage the boys.
• The local bank manager, who was an adult, was especially generous in providing bats, balls, and pocket money for the boys.

2.
Ans: After the ball hit by Ranji landed on Nakoo's snout, Nakoo became upset. To solve the problem and get Nakoo off the pitch, Prem threw a ball at Nakoo, hitting him on the snout. Startled and stung, Nakoo moved away from the pitch and into the water, allowing the cricket match to continue.

(D) Think and answer.

1.
Ans: The boys call the crocodile Nakooji respectfully, but it seems more out of fear and caution than genuine respect. Instances from the story include:

• The boys trying to get Nakoo off the pitch by throwing pebbles and a ball at him, indicating a lack of genuine respect for his presence.
• The boys referring to Nakoo as "Nakoo Sir" may be a sign of formality rather than genuine respect, as they are cautious about his potential danger.
• Despite the initial respectful address, the boys attempt to remove Nakoo from the pitch without considering the crocodile's perspective or habitat, showing a lack of understanding and true respect for wildlife.