Textbook Solutions: The M.C.C. | Gul Mohar Class 7: Book Solutions, Summaries & Worksheets PDF Download

In-text Questions 

Q1: Look at sentences 2 and 3 in paragraph 1. What do they tell us about what Swaminathan thinks of Rajam?
Ans: Swaminathan had assumed Rajam knew how to play; hearing Rajam admit he doesn’t surprises and relieves him.

Q2: What do Rajam and Swaminathan think about the Board School team?
Ans: They believe the Board School boys think they “can’t be beaten,” and they boast they’ll “thrash them.”

Q3: Rajam and Swaminathan are ______ first. Instead, they should first focus on ........................... .
Ans: Choosing a name; getting players together and actually practising.

Q4: Is this story set in current times? What are the clues that tell you this?
Ans: No. Clues include references to “His Majesty,” the “Viceroy,” and Money Orders to the Governor—markers of British rule in India.

Q5: Tell your partner why this conversation is funny.
Ans: The boys keep proposing grand names, sometimes repeating them, and imagine dramatic headlines while having no team yet—an amusing mismatch between their ambition and reality.

Q6: Rajam is ........................... with Swaminathan because he thinks ______
Ans: Impressed; Swaminathan can reel off many names after Rajam struggled to think of a few.

Q7: Swaminathan’s understanding of taxes is • in-depth. • unclear.
Ans: Unclear.
Explanation: He worries about recognition, multiple taxes, and even whom to pay, showing confusion.

Q8: What is Swaminathan trying to accomplish by telling Rajam about taxes?
Ans: He’s raising practical difficulties to make Rajam think carefully and slow their rush into starting the club.

Q9: Underline the sentence that tells you that Swaminathan is trying to bring in his own opinions. What does this tell you about the friendship?
Ans: The sentence is: “It is all very well for a rich team like your Wallers. But suppose the Government demands two taxes from us?” It shows Swaminathan feels free to disagree and tease Rajam—evidence of a comfortable friendship.

Understanding the Text

Q1: What do we know about Rajam and Swaminathan’s cricket knowledge and cricket skills? (paras 1–3)
Ans: Both know players and scores and collect pictures, but neither knows how to play.

Q2: Why do you think the boys are starting a cricket club?
Ans: To challenge other teams and live up to the big cricketing dreams they admire.

Q3a: Why does Swaminathan think it is a possibility that Hobbs’s team may drag them to court?
Ans: He thinks “M.C.C.” already belongs to a famous team, so using it could cause legal trouble.

Q3b: What are the two things that we learn about Swaminathan from this?
Ans: He is cautious and rule-conscious, but also naïve about how such things work.

Q4a: What is common to both ‘Excelsior Union’ and ‘Champion Eleven’?
Ans: Both names sound grand and victorious.

Q4b: Do you think Rajam’s club, as it is at this moment, will live up to these names? Why?
Ans: Not yet; they don’t have a real team or practice—only ideas and names.

Q5: How do we know that Rajam takes the cricket club very seriously? (para 30)
Ans: He spent time struggling to think up names, made a list, and imagined newspaper headlines.

Q6: “People would be afraid of us.” Why would the two boys wish for this?
Ans: They want their club’s name and reputation to sound intimidating to other teams.

Q7a: What does Swaminathan think the Government will do if they don’t pay tax?
Ans: It may not recognise their team, and others could use the same name.

Q7b: What is Rajam’s solution to this problem?
Ans: To have two names—one official and one for matches.

Q7c: Why does Swaminathan not accept this solution?
Ans: He fears the Government may then demand two taxes.

Q8a: What emotion do you think Rajam is feeling at this point?
Ans: Overwhelmed and exasperated.

Q8b: How is Swaminathan making matters worse?
Ans: By inventing more problems about taxes and rules instead of focusing on cricket.

Q9: Swaminathan is utterly confused at the end. What are the details in para 42 that support this statement?
Ans: He wonders whom to pay, fears fraud, considers sending money to the Governor, worries about treason, and doesn’t know the amount.

Appreciating the Text

Q1: How does the writer bring out the humour in the text?
Ans: By contrasting Rajam’s bold imagination with Swaminathan’s anxious objections, while readers know their worries are unrealistic.

Q2: How is the popularity of the game of cricket brought out by the writer? Why is this important to the story? How does it make the story enjoyable even for readers of today?
Ans: Cricket is shown as hugely admired, with boys idolising players and forming clubs. This makes the story relatable even today.

Grammar and Usage

A. I Underline the uncountable nouns in these sentences and write 1, 2 or 3 depending on which rule applies to each of them.

Q1: There is a grain of truth in what he says.
Ans: truth — rule 2

Q2: Experience is a good teacher.
Ans: experience — rule 2

Q3: Their family has been in business for many years.
Ans: business — rule 3

Q4: It is difficult to put out fire without an extinguisher.
Ans: fire — rule 3

Q5: The coming months are a period of excitement.
Ans: excitement — rule 2

Q6: Seaweed is a widely used component in shampoos these days.
Ans: seaweed — rule 2

Q7: It was a friendship that was very special and rare.
Ans: friendship — rule 2

Q8: He received a shower of praise for his new book.
Ans: praise — rule 2

B. I Complete these sentences with suitable indefinite pronouns from the box.
(Box: several, something, anyone, few, no one, most, another, each)

Q1: ...........................tells me that it will rain this afternoon. I can almost smell the rain.
Ans: Something

Q2: Has ....................................... seen my glasses?
Ans: Anyone

Q3: I don't think this will fit—could I try ....................................... , please?
Ans: Another

Q4: Many people have watched this film, but ....................................... have liked it.
Ans: Few

Q5: I don't have many music CDs, but Neetu has ....................................... .
Ans: Several

Q6: ........................................ can surpass his greatness as a music composer.
Ans: No one

Q7: Both these cakes look delicious. I will be greedy and have one of ....................................... .
Ans: Each

Q8: Just a few people have accepted the invitation but ....................................... have refused.
Ans: Most

Words in Use

A. I Match each of these words to a prefix. Then, complete these sentences with the correct prefixed words.

Q1: After his friends played a prank on him, he felt ....................................... of them.
Ans: Distrustful

Q2: The match was a draw—this verdict left all the fans ....................................... .
Ans: Dissatisfied

Q3: It would be rather ....................................... to wear sandals on a trek!
Ans: Impractical

Q4: Ria was very excited to go to an exhibition of previously ........................... photographs.
Ans: Unseen

Q5: I think it will be ....................................... to fit all six of us into an autorickshaw.
Ans: Impossible

Q6: The documentary on Mars was filled with visuals of .......................... landscapes.
Ans: Unfamiliar

8. I Use these phrases from the text to rewrite the sentences. You will have to change the form in some cases.
(Phrases: not care for; has a vision of; very pleasing to hear; to reel off; can't be beaten; all very well)

Q1: The butter cake at Neela's Bakery is the best—you won't find anything better.
Ans: can't be beaten

Q2: A high-fibre diet is appropriate or reasonable for an adult but not for a child.
Ans: all very well

Q3: My neighbour has a beautiful voice. Her singing is very enjoyable.
Ans: very pleasing to hear

Q4: Tejas had an idea or mental image of the technologically advanced motorcycle he wants to design one day.
Ans: has a vision of

Q5: I did not enjoy the film but I watched it anyway.
Ans: did not care for

Q6: The little girl recited the alphabet rapidly and without any effort.
Ans: reeled off

Spelling 

Complete these words with -ible or -able.

Q1: aud ........................... .
Ans: audible

Q2: credit. .......................... .
Ans: creditable

Q3: ed ........................... .
Ans: edible

Q4: wash ........................... .
Ans: washable

Q5: cred ........................... .
Ans: credible

Q6: valu ........................... .
Ans: valuable

Q7: afford ........................... .
Ans: affordable

Q8: divis ........................... .
Ans: divisible

Q9: us ........................... .
Ans: usable

Writing – diary entry

Diary entry is personal writing. It is more than a record of events. It describes your feelings and opinions about the events recorded. Diary entries may be informal as they are for personal reading only. 

Imagine that Rajam was in the habit of keeping a diary. He must have written about his special project-the Malgudi Cricket Club. What would he write in his diary the day he discussed the club with Swaminathan?

Write a diary entry imagining yourself to be Rajam. You may include these points.

• how you felt as you explained your idea for the club

• how you felt when you saw Swaminathan's reaction

• what your thoughts were as you discussed the names

• what you felt during the discussion about taxes

• what you think is the next step in setting up the club

Ans:

Dear Diary,

What a thrilling day it has been! I finally spoke to Swami about my grand idea — starting our own cricket team. At first, he looked doubtful, saying he didn’t know how to play. But I quickly told him that even I don’t know much yet. After all, every great player must have started the same way. The important thing is to begin, and I felt so excited when Swami agreed.

We then began to think of names for the team. I proudly declared it would be the M.C.C., and for a moment, the name sounded so powerful that I could almost hear the applause of the crowd. But Swami, as usual, began fussing — he worried that Hobbs’s team might take us to court! Still, we thought of so many names together: Friends Eleven, Jumping Stars, Excelsiors, Victory Union Eleven… I could already see the headlines in the newspaper: THE JUMPING STARS THRASH THE BOARD HIGH SCHOOL ELEVEN. The thought filled me with pride. Swami kept reeling off names, one after another. I admired how many ideas he had, though sometimes he seemed silly and repetitive.

Just when everything was going well, Swami began to worry about — of all things — taxes! He thought the Government might not recognise our team unless we paid. He even wondered if we would have to send money to the Governor. Honestly, Swami complicates everything! I only wanted to gather players on the maidan and start playing, but his endless worries made the whole matter sound like the most difficult problem in the world. For a moment, I almost felt sorry for Gandhi who had to deal with this Government every day.

Still, I will not give up. Tomorrow I shall bring Mani and we will choose the perfect name. Then we shall gather boys and practise hard. One day, the whole town will know the glory of the Malgudi Cricket Club. I am certain of it!

Yours,
Rajam