CBSE Class 7 English (Honeycomb) Important Questions Chapter 7 Poem - Garden Snake, Dad and The Cat and The Tree

Chapter 7 from the Honeycomb textbook consists of 2 poems, “Garden Snake” and “Dad and The Cat and The Tree”. You can find important questions for these respective chapters below:

Garden Snake:

1. What is the poem Garden Snake about?
Ans: The poem is about a person who learns that some snakes, like the garden snake, are harmless and helpful.

2. Who wrote Garden Snake?
Ans: The poem was written by Muriel L. Sonne.

3. How does the speaker initially feel when they see the snake?
Ans: The speaker is frightened and runs away.

4. What does the speaker’s mother tell them about the garden snake?
Ans: The speaker’s mother says that the garden snake is harmless and eats insects.

5. What does the speaker decide to do when they see the snake again?
Ans: The speaker decides to stand aside and let the snake pass without fear.

6. How does the speaker’s reaction to the snake change throughout the poem?
Ans: At first, the speaker is scared of the snake and runs away. However, after learning from their mother that the snake is harmless and helpful, they feel more comfortable. The speaker decides to watch the snake pass without fear, showing a change in their attitude.

7. What does the mother explain about the garden snake’s behaviour?
Ans: The mother explains that the garden snake is harmless and doesn’t pose a threat to people. She mentions that it actually helps by eating insects, making it a beneficial animal to have around.

8. How does the poet use simple language to convey the message of the poem?
Ans: The poet uses short and straightforward lines that are easy to understand, making the message clear. This style helps readers see that not all snakes are dangerous and that some play an important role in nature.

9. Why does the speaker repeat the line “There’s no mistake, it’s just a harmless garden snake”?
Ans: The speaker repeats this line to reassure themselves and overcome their fear. It’s a reminder that the snake is not dangerous, which helps them feel more comfortable around it.

10. What message does Garden Snake convey about understanding animals?
Ans: The poem conveys that not all animals we fear are harmful. By understanding more about animals, like the garden snake, we can appreciate their role in nature and overcome unnecessary fears.

11. Describe the speaker’s initial reaction to seeing the snake and how it changes by the end of the poem.
Ans: The speaker’s first reaction is to run away in fear, as they have heard that some snakes are dangerous. However, their mother explains that the garden snake is harmless and actually helps by eating insects. This information calms the speaker, who realises there is no reason to be afraid. By the end, they decide to simply step aside and let the snake pass, feeling safe and at ease.

12. How does the mother’s explanation help the speaker see the garden snake differently?
Ans: The mother’s explanation gives the speaker new information, helping them understand that the garden snake is not dangerous. This knowledge changes the speaker’s view of the snake, allowing them to see it as a harmless creature that has a purpose in nature. Instead of fearing the snake, they come to appreciate its role.

13. What does Garden Snake teach us about facing our fears?
Ans: The poem shows that sometimes our fears come from misunderstandings or lack of knowledge. By learning more about what we fear, like the garden snake, we can often see that our fear was unnecessary. In this way, the poem encourages us to face our fears with an open mind and seek understanding.

14. Why does the poet choose a simple tone to discuss fear in the poem?
Ans: The poet’s simple tone makes the message easy to understand and relatable, especially for younger readers who may have similar fears. This straightforward approach helps readers connect with the idea that not everything we fear is harmful and encourages curiosity rather than fear.

15. Explain how the poem’s ending creates a positive feeling toward the garden snake.
Ans: The ending creates a positive feeling by showing the speaker overcoming their fear and calmly watching the snake pass. The line “There’s no mistake, it’s just a harmless garden snake” suggests confidence and acceptance, which leaves readers with a sense of peace and respect for the snake.

16. Why is it important for the speaker to remember their mother’s words about the garden snake?
Ans: Remembering their mother’s words helps the speaker manage their fear and see the snake in a new light. It encourages them to view the garden snake as a helpful creature rather than something to be afraid of.

17. How does the poem Garden Snake encourage curiosity instead of fear?
Ans: By showing that the snake is harmless, the poem encourages readers to learn more about animals instead of fearing them based on appearances. It promotes curiosity about nature and understanding the role of different animals.

18. What lesson might the speaker learn about animals and nature from this experience?
Ans: The speaker learns that animals, even ones that seem scary, can have positive roles in nature. This experience teaches them not to judge animals too quickly and to understand their place in the ecosystem.

19. How does the poem suggest that knowledge can help us overcome fear?
Ans: The poem shows that the speaker’s fear fades after they learn from their mother that the garden snake is harmless. This suggests that knowledge can change our perceptions and help us feel more comfortable.

20. Why might the poet want readers to think differently about snakes after reading this poem?
Ans: The poet likely wants readers to see that snakes are not always dangerous and can be beneficial. By helping readers see a snake’s positive role, the poet encourages a more balanced and respectful view of nature.

Dad and The Cat and the Tree:

1. What is Dad and the Cat and the Tree about?
Ans: The poem is about a dad trying to rescue a cat from a tree, but he keeps having accidents.

2. Who wrote the poem Dad and the Cat and the Tree?
Ans: The poem was written by Kit Wright.

3. How does Dad feel about climbing the tree?
Ans: Dad is very confident and believes climbing is easy for him.

4. What happens each time Dad tries to climb the tree?
Ans: Each time Dad tries, he ends up falling or getting hurt in a funny way.

5. What happens to the cat in the end?
Ans: The cat jumps safely to the ground, while Dad gets stuck in the tree.

6. Why does Dad keep trying to climb the tree?
Ans: Dad is determined to rescue the cat and is confident in his climbing skills. Despite his falls and accidents, he keeps trying different ways to reach the cat, showing his stubbornness and pride.

7. What does Mum keep saying to Dad, and why?
Ans: Mum repeatedly warns Dad not to fall, as she sees that his attempts are clumsy and risky. She is worried for his safety, but Dad brushes off her concerns, insisting he can handle it.

8. How does Dad react to his accidents?
Ans: Dad brushes off each fall, acting as though it's no big deal. He keeps his confidence high, even joking about the falls, which adds to the humour of the poem.

9. Why is the ending of the poem funny?
Ans: The ending is funny because the cat escapes on its own, while Dad, who was trying so hard, ends up stuck in the tree instead. The role reversal adds humour to the poem.

10. How does the poem show Dad’s stubbornness?
Ans: Despite falling multiple times and Mum’s warnings, Dad continues trying to climb the tree, believing he is a skilled climber. His stubbornness makes him ignore the danger, leading to more mishaps.

11. Describe Dad’s personality as shown in the poem.
Ans: Dad is shown as confident, determined, and a bit stubborn. He believes he is a great climber and underestimates the difficulty of rescuing the cat. His confidence makes him ignore Mum’s warnings, leading to humorous falls. Even after each accident, he keeps trying with the same enthusiasm, which shows his persistence. However, his pride prevents him from admitting he may need help or that he might not succeed, adding a humorous tone to his character.

12. How does the poet use humour to describe Dad’s attempts to rescue the cat?
Ans: The poet uses humour by describing Dad’s exaggerated confidence and how he brushes off each fall. Each attempt, called Plan A, B, and C, ends with a funny mishap, like landing in a flower bed or breaking a branch. The surprise ending, where the cat escapes and Dad ends up stuck, is a humorous twist that highlights his clumsiness.

13. What role does Mum play in the poem?
Ans: Mum serves as the voice of caution, warning Dad not to fall each time. She is concerned for his safety and tries to advise him, but Dad ignores her. Her reactions add to the humour, as her worries contrast with Dad’s overconfidence and repeated failures.

14. Why do you think the poet ends the poem with Dad stuck in the tree?
Ans: The poet ends the poem this way to add a twist and emphasise the humour. While Dad was trying to help, his stubbornness and confidence led to him being the one in trouble. It’s an ironic ending that shows sometimes animals are better at taking care of themselves.

15. How does the cat’s reaction at the end add to the humour?
Ans: The cat’s calm reaction adds humour because, unlike Dad, it wasn’t in any real trouble. The cat easily jumps down, looking proud, while Dad, who tried so hard to save it, is left stuck. This contrast makes the cat seem clever and adds to Dad’s funny misadventure.

16. Why does the poet give Dad different plans like A, B, and C?
Ans: The different plans show Dad’s determination and how he refuses to give up, even when things go wrong. Each plan failing adds to the humour and builds suspense, making readers curious about what will happen next.

17. How might Dad feel about getting stuck in the tree at the end?
Ans: Dad might feel embarrassed and a little foolish, as he was trying to prove his climbing skills. The ending shows that his confidence led to an unexpected and funny outcome.

18. What does the poem suggest about confidence and determination?
Ans: The poem suggests that confidence and determination are good, but they can sometimes lead to funny failures if we don’t think carefully. Overconfidence can make us ignore risks, leading to unexpected situations.

19. Why do you think the poet wrote the poem in a light-hearted, funny way?
Ans: The poet likely wanted to entertain readers with a playful story. By using humour, the poet makes a simple story about rescuing a cat amusing and relatable, showing how our mistakes can sometimes be funny.

20. What lesson might Dad learn from this experience?
Ans: Dad might learn that it’s important to listen to advice and think carefully before acting. His stubbornness led to unnecessary trouble, showing that sometimes caution is better than overconfidence.

21. How does the title Dad and the Cat and the Tree set the tone for the poem?
Ans: The title suggests a simple and playful story, giving a hint that it will involve a funny situation between Dad, the cat, and the tree.

22. How does Dad’s attitude add to the humour in the poem?
Ans: Dad’s confidence and insistence that climbing is easy, despite repeated falls, make his situation funny. His attitude makes readers smile as he keeps going with the same enthusiasm.

23. What does the line “Easy as winking to a climber like me!” tell us about Dad?
Ans: This line shows that Dad believes climbing is simple and that he’s skilled, even though he repeatedly fails. It highlights his overconfidence.

24. Why does Mum keep warning Dad not to fall?
Ans: Mum is concerned for Dad’s safety, as she sees that his attempts are clumsy. Her warnings show her worry and add a humorous contrast to Dad’s confidence.

25. What is the effect of ending the poem with the cat on the ground and Dad stuck in the tree?
Ans: The ending is humorous and ironic, as it reverses their roles. While the cat escapes safely, Dad, the supposed "rescuer," ends up needing help, creating a funny twist.

Benefits of Class 7 English (Honeycomb) Important Questions Chapter 7

• Important questions focus on key themes, meanings, and poetic techniques, ensuring that students grasp the most critical aspects of the poem.

• Practising important questions helps students learn to frame concise, accurate answers within the allotted time.

• Focused practice ensures students learn to write structured answers with relevant points, improving their writing skills.

• A curated list of important questions serves as an efficient revision tool, covering the poem's essential elements.

• Targeted preparation boosts confidence and accuracy, increasing the likelihood of scoring well in exams.

Conclusion:

Both 'Dad and the Cat and the Tree' and 'Garden Snake' highlight the playful curiosity and learning that come from simple encounters in daily life. While one poem shows humour in a father’s misadventures, the other encourages understanding of nature’s harmless creatures. Together, they remind readers to approach life’s small surprises with patience and open-mindedness. For more practice, download Vedantu’s FREE PDF of Class 7 English Important Questions, created by experienced master teachers to help you review key topics anytime, anywhere!

Additional Study Material for Class 7 English (Poem) Chapter 7

CBSE Class 7 English (Honeycomb) Important Questions for All Chapters

CBSE Class 7 English Important Questions and Answers include topics from Honeycomb, helping with thorough preparation and easier revision.

Important Study Materials for Class 7 English