NCERT English Class 7 | Chapter 4 | The Cop and the Anthem | Question Answer |

EXERCISE                                                                                      PAGE 29

Answer the following questions.

1. What are some of the signs of approaching winter referred to in the text?

Answer: Birds begin to migrate south. People are looking for new winter coats. The ground is littered with dead leaves. These were some of the signs of approaching winter mentioned in the text.

2. Write ‘True’ or ‘False’ against each of the following.

(i) Soapy did not want to go to prison. _____

(ii) Soapy had been to prison several times. _____

(iii) It was not possible for Soapy to survive in the city through the winter. _____

(iv) Soapy hated to answer questions of a personal nature. _____

Answer: (i) False (ii) True (iii) False (iv) True

3. What was Soapy’s first plan? Why did it not work?

Answer: Soapy's first plan was to eat at an expensive restaurant and claim that he couldn't afford it. They'd call the cops, who would take him to jail. The plan failed when he was stopped at the restaurant door by the head waiter. He turned Soapy around and ordered him to leave quickly and quietly.

4. “But the cop’s mind would not consider Soapy”. What did the cop not consider, and why?

Answer: Soapy was not considered the person who threw the stone at the window glass by the cop because no criminal would stand and talk to the cop after doing so.

5. “We have orders to let them shout”. What is the policeman referring to?

Answer: The cop implies that he had received orders not to arrest the unruly and shouting college students.

6. Write ‘True’ or ‘False’ against each of the following.

(i) Soapy stole a man’s umbrella. _____

(ii) The owner of the umbrella offered to give it to Soapy. _____

(iii) The man had stolen the umbrella that was now Soapy’s. _____

(iv) Soapy threw away the umbrella. _____

Answer: (i) True (ii) True (iii) True (iv) True

7. “There was a sudden and wonderful change in his soul”. What brought about the change in Soapy?

Answer: Soapy was standing in front of the house where he had grown up. He remembered his mother, the sweet music he used to listen to in his room, and the decent life he used to live. He resolved to work hard and make a name for himself in life.


Discuss the following topics in groups.

1. Suppose no cop came at the end. What would Soapy’s life be like through the winter?

Answer: In the winter, Soapy's life would have been extremely difficult. He didn't have a place to live or food to eat. He'd have had a rough winter. He could have gradually achieved it if he had been determined to work and lead a decent life once more.

2. Retell an episode in the story which is a good example of irony in a situation.

Answer: Soapy decided to spend the next three months in jail when he realized winter was approaching. He decided that in order to do so, he would have to commit a minor crime. Despite multiple attempts, the cops were unable to apprehend him.

He was arrested by a cop when he decided to work and live a decent life. This is an excellent example of irony in action.

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