Do as Directed std 7 English

 Change the Degree of Comparison

🔹 What is Degree of Comparison?

Adjectives have three degrees:

Positive – simple quality

old, tall, good

Comparative – compares two

 older, taller, better

Superlative – compares more than two

oldest, tallest, best

Example :

What is the oldest living thing in the world? (Change the Degree)

🔹 Changed sentence:

What is older than any other living thing in the world?

Here, superlative (oldest) is changed into comparative (older than any other).

 Meaning remains the same.

More Examples:

Superlative: This is the tallest building in the city.

Comparative: This building is taller than any other building in the city.

Superlative: She is the best student in the class.

Comparative: She is better than any other student in the class.

2️⃣ Turn into a Simple Sentence

What is a Simple Sentence?

A simple sentence has:

only one main clause

no conjunctions like and, because, when

We often use:

-ing form (present participle)

having + verb

🔹 Example:

I jumped into the Great Glass Elevator and rushed all over the world. (Turn into Simple)

🔹 Simple sentence:

Jumping into the Great Glass Elevator, I rushed all over the world.

 “Jumping” is an -ing form

Two actions are combined into one sentence

Meaning stays the same

(3) Turn into Affirmative sentence

🔹 What is an Affirmative sentence?

An affirmative sentence is a positive statement.

When a sentence has no / not / never, we remove the negative word and adjust the meaning.

📘 Example:

It was no more than an ounce or two.

✅ Affirmative:

It was only an ounce or two.

 no more than → only

✨ More Examples:

Negative: He is not a bad boy.

Affirmative: He is a good boy.

Negative: She did not fail the exam.

Affirmative: She passed the exam.

(4) Change the Voice (Passive → Active)

🔹 What is Voice?

Active voice: Subject does the action

Passive voice: Action is done to the subject

📘 Example:

It produced one tiny cupful of black liquid.

(This is already active voice)

Passive:

One tiny cupful of black liquid was produced by it.

✨ More Examples:

Active: She wrote a letter.

Passive: A letter was written by her.

Active: The cat killed the rat.

Passive: The rat was killed by the cat.

(5) Turn into Exclamatory sentence

🔹 What is an Exclamatory sentence?

It shows strong feelings like joy, surprise, excitement.

Starts with What / How and ends with !

📘 Example:

It was fantastic.

✅ Exclamatory:

How fantastic it was!

✨ More Examples:

Statement: She is very clever.

Exclamatory: How clever she is!

Statement: The scene is beautiful.

Exclamatory: What a beautiful scene it is!

(6) Use “when”

🔹 Rule:

Join two actions

Use when to show time

Remove extra words like the moment

📘 Example:

The moment he swallowed it, he began wrinkling and shrivelling up all over.

✅ Using when:

When he swallowed it, he began wrinkling and shrivelling up all over.

✨ More Examples:

He reached home. He started studying.

👉 When he reached home, he started studying.

(7) Use “as soon as”

🔹 Rule:

Shows immediate action

Often replaces and suddenly / immediately

📘 Example :

He swallowed it and suddenly became an old fellow of seventy-five.

✅ Using as soon as:

As soon as he swallowed it, he became an old fellow of seventy-five.

✨ More Examples:

She saw the snake. She ran away.

As soon as she saw the snake, she ran away.

Very Important 

Affirmative → remove no / not and make positive

Voice → object ↔ subject

Exclamatory → How / What + !

When → for time

As soon as → immediate result

7 HoneyComb Dad and the cat and the tree

 Poem: Dad and the cat and the tree

Stanza 1

“This morning a cat got stuck in our tree… Leave it to me.”

Explanation:

The poem begins with a cat that has climbed a tree and cannot come down. Dad confidently says that he will handle the problem. His words show self-confidence and pride, as he believes rescuing the cat is very easy.

Stanza 2

“The tree was wobbly… Mum said, ‘For goodness’ sake don’t fall!’

Explanation:

This stanza tells us that the tree is tall and shaky. Mum is worried and warns Dad not to fall. This shows that the situation is dangerous, unlike what Dad thinks.

Stanza 3

“‘Fall?’ scoffed Dad… ‘Child’s play, this is!’

Explanation:

Dad laughs at Mum’s warning and boasts about his climbing skills. He says the task is very easy for him. This stanza highlights Dad’s overconfidence, which creates humour.

Stanza 4

“He got out the ladder… He landed in the flower bed.”

Explanation:

Dad brings a ladder from the garden shed to climb the tree. However, the ladder slips and Dad falls into the flower bed. This proves that Dad’s confidence was misplaced, and the rescue attempt fails.

Stanza 5 :

“Never mind,” said Dad,

Brushing the dirt

Off his hair and his face

And his trousers and his shirt,

Explanation:

Dad pretends that nothing serious has happened after falling into the flower bed. He dusts off the dirt from his clothes and body. This shows his pride—he does not want to admit failure or accept that he was careless.

Stanza 6

“We’ll try Plan B. Stand

Out of the way!”

Mum said, “Don’t fall

Again, O.K.?”

Explanation:

Dad decides to try another method (Plan B) and asks everyone to move aside. Mum is worried and warns him not to fall again. This shows Mum’s concern and sensible nature, in contrast to Dad’s confidence.

Stanza 7

“Fall again?” said Dad.

“Funny joke!”

Then he swung himself up

On a branch. It broke.

Explanation:

Dad laughs at Mum’s warning and makes fun of it. He climbs onto a tree branch confidently, but the branch breaks. This stanza clearly shows Dad’s overconfidence and foolishness, creating humour.

Stanza 8

Dad landed wallop

Back on the deck.

Mum said, “Stop it,

You’ll break your neck!”

Explanation:

Dad falls heavily onto the wooden deck. Mum scolds him and warns that he may seriously injure himself. This stanza highlights the danger of Dad’s actions and Mum’s fear for his safety.

Stanza 9

“Rubbish!” said Dad.

“Now we’ll try Plan C.

Easy as winking

To a climber like me!”

Explanation:

Dad angrily dismisses Mum’s warning and announces yet another plan (Plan C). He again boasts about his climbing ability. This reinforces the poem’s main idea—excessive confidence leads to repeated failure.

Stanza 10

“Then he climbed up high

On the garden wall.

Guess what?

He didn’t fall!”

Explanation:

The father climbs up the garden wall. Everyone expects him to fall, but surprisingly, he does not fall. This creates suspense and adds humour to the poem.

Stanza 11

“He gave a great leap

And he landed flat

In the crook of the tree-trunk —

Right on the cat!”

Explanation:

The father jumps from the wall and lands in the fork (crook) of a tree. Unfortunately, he lands directly on the cat that was sitting there. This is a funny and unexpected situation.

Stanza 12

“The cat gave a yell

And sprang to the ground,

Pleased as Punch to be

Safe and sound.”

Explanation:

The cat cries out loudly because of the sudden landing. It quickly jumps down to the ground. The cat feels very happy and relieved to escape without getting hurt.

Stanza 13

“So it’s smiling and smirking,

Smug as can be,

But poor old Dad’s

Still

Stuck

Up

The

Tree!”

Explanation:

The cat is now smiling proudly and looks very pleased with itself. However, the father is not so lucky. He is still stuck up in the tree and cannot come down. The po

em ends humorously, showing the contrast between the cat’s clever escape and the father’s awkward situation.

7A Do as Directed

 Chapter 6 English Honeycomb workbook 

(1) He can't be poor if he's a crook on the run.

(Use ‘unless’)

Answer:

He can’t be poor unless he is a crook on the run.

Explanation:

Unless means if not.

“He can’t be poor if…” becomes “He can’t be poor unless…”

The meaning remains the same.

 Similar Sentences:

You cannot enter the room unless you have permission.

She won’t succeed unless she works hard.

(2) Mr Mehta told us he doesn't work anywhere.

(Turn into Affirmative)

 Answer:

Mr Mehta told us that he works nowhere.

 Explanation:

Negative sentence → Affirmative sentence

doesn’t work anywhere → works nowhere

Meaning remains unchanged.

Similar Sentences:

She doesn’t like anything → She likes nothing.

He didn’t say anything → He said nothing.

(3) Seven had been quite upset about Mr Nath's gaunt appearance.

(Turn into Exclamatory)

Answer:

How upset Seven had been about Mr Nath’s gaunt appearance!

 Explanation:

Exclamatory sentences express strong emotion.

Use How / What + subject + verb.

End with an exclamation mark (!).

Similar Sentences:

She was very happy.

 → How happy she was!

The scene was beautiful.

 → What a beautiful scene it was!

(4) Mr Nath pays cash and tips well.

(Use ‘not only… but also’)

Answer:

Mr Nath not only pays cash but also tips well.

Explanation:

Not only… but also is used to add emphasis.

It connects two positive qualities or actions.

 Similar Sentences:

She is not only intelligent but also hardworking.

He not only sang but also danced beautifully.

(5) We'll have to sort out all the facts like expert detectives, so that we can trap the crook.

(Remove ‘so that’)

Answer:

We'll have to sort out all the facts like expert detectives to trap the crook.

 Explanation:

So that shows purpose.

It can be replaced with to + verb for conciseness.

Similar Sentences:

She studies hard so that she can succeed.

 → She studies hard to succeed.

He whispered so that no one could hear.

 → He whispered to avoid being heard.

 Quick Revision Table

Grammar Concept.                     Key Word / Structure

Condition.                                         unless

Negative → Affirmative.                nowhere / nothing

Exclamatory.                                    How / What

Addition & Emphasis.                     not only… but also

Purpose.                                           to + verb(suitable verb like)

Chapter 5 English Honeycomb workbook 

(1) It was not possible to go to him very often.

(Turn into Affirmative)

Answer:

It was impossible to go to him very often.

Meaning:

The sentence says that going to him frequently could not be done.

Example:

It is not possible to finish this work today.

It is impossible to finish this work today.

Rule:

Not possible → Impossible

(2) He spoke long and bitterly.

(Use “Not only … but also”)

Answer:

He spoke not only long but also bitterly.

Meaning:

He spoke for a long time and his words were full of bitterness.

Example:

She is not only intelligent but also hardworking.

He not only sang but also danced.

Rule:

Use not only before the first quality/action and but also before the second.

(3) Those boots were the best he had ever made.

(Change the Degree – Positive Degree)

Answer (Positive Degree):

No other boots he had ever made were as good as those boots.

Meaning:

Among all the boots he had made, these were the finest.

Example:

Superlative: This is the tallest building.

Positive: No other building is as tall as this.

Rule:

Best → No other … as good as

Comparative Degree:

Those boots were better than any other boots he had ever made.

Explanation (short):

best (superlative) → better than any other 

(4) How splendidly the new boots fitted!

(Turn into Assertive)

Answer:

The new boots fitted very splendidly.

Meaning:

The sentence expresses that the new boots fitted extremely well.

Examples:

Exclamatory: How beautifully she sings!

Assertive: She sings very beautifully.

Rule:

Remove How/What, change the structure into a statement, and keep the meaning same.

(5) What could you expect with his ideas?

(Turn into Negative)

Answer:

You could not expect anything with his ideas.

Meaning:

His ideas were not useful, so no good result was expected.

Examples:

Interrogative: What could he do?

Negative: He could not do anything.

Rule:

What → Not … anything

(6) When he got an order, it took him such a time.

(Turn into Simple Sentence)

Answer:

On getting an order, it took him such a time.

Meaning:

Whenever he received an order, he took a long time to complete it.

Examples:

Complex: When she saw the police, she ran away.

Simple: On seeing the police, she ran away.

Rule:

When + subject + verb → On + verb-ing

(7) He put his hand down and pressed a finger on the place.

(Turn into Simple Sentence)

Answer:

Putting his hand down, he pressed a finger on the place.

Meaning:

He lowered his hand and pressed his finger at that spot.

Examples:

Compound: She opened the door and entered the room.

Simple: Opening the door, she entered the room.

Rule:

Combine actions using verb-ing to make one simple sentence.

Picture Description Activity

 Picture Description Activity 

Describing pictures | PPT https://share.google/UVWMrmsMNZyH8qlFP

Disaster ch-13

 5. Answer the following questions in one or two sentences:

(1) By what name is a disaster commonly known as? Disasters are also commonly known as a calamity or catastrophe.

(2) Which are man-made disasters? Man-made disasters is Fire, Industrial Accidents, Bomb-Blast, and Riots.

(3) Name any four natural disasters. Volcano,Flood, Drought,Forest-fire.

4) Which natural disasters can be forecast? Forecast of floods, tsunami, hurricane and drought is possible.

(5) Which natural disasters cannot be forecast? Earthquake, volcano, and forest fire.

(6) What is an earthquake? OR What is called an earthquake? Generally, vibrations experienced on the earth's surface is called earthquake.

(7) What is meant by a cyclone? Cyclone means Enormous atmospheric storms arise from the condition of an Imbalance in the atmosphere air pressure.

8) Due to what does a cyclone occur? Due to the conditions Imbalance in the atmospheric air pressure occurs cyclone.

(9) What is a Tsunami? OR What is called a Tsunami? Tsunami is a catastrophic wave caused by an earthquake or sea or volcanic eruption at the bottom of the ocean or by a large-scale landslide in the ocean is called a Tsunami.

(10) Which factors are responsible for floods to occur? Man-made constructions that are made. made by neglecting natural slopes, obstruction of natural drainage, is also responsible for flood.

(11) What is called a drought? Drought is a natural disaster that is destructive and leaves its bad effects for a long time.

(12) On whom are the worst effects of a disaster seen? The impact of disaster is seen more or on the poor people and needy people.

(13) How many types of traffic signs are there? Name them. There are three types of traffic signs. They are:1.Mandatory Signs, 2. Cautionary (Warning) Signs, 3.Informatory Signs

(1) What precautions should be taken during the earthquake?

If you are in a school, sit under a bench in the classroom. (2) Stay away from the electric poles and wires. (3) Listen to the news on local radio station or television for guidance. (4) Do not be scared. Do not be panicky and run. (5) Do not use the elevators to come down in a multi-storeyed building.

(2) What should be done during a cyclone?

(1) On receiving the warning of a cyclone, close all doors and windows of the house.(2) If you are in the school, do not come out of the class. (3) If you are inside a vehicle, park the vehicle away from the electric poles, tree, seashore, etc. and remain inside the vehicle only. (4) If you have taken shelter in a shelter house of a government or a non-government organization, then abide by the instructions of the managers strictly. (5) Animals should be released from their pegs (hooks); if the animals are free then they can save themselves. (6) Stand away from the electric poles, large trees, buildings, hoardings of advertisements.

THE SCHOOL BOY — William Blake poem with explanation

 

🌿 THE SCHOOL BOY — William Blake

I love to rise on a summer morn,
When the birds sing on every tree;
The distant huntsman winds his horn,
And the skylark sings with me:
O what sweet company!

But to go to school in a summer morn,
O it drives all joy away;
Under a cruel eye outworn,
The little ones spend the day,
In sighing and dismay.

Ah then at times I drooping sit,
And spend many an anxious hour;
Nor in my book can I take delight,
Nor sit in learning’s bower,
Worn through with the dreary shower.

How can the bird that is born for joy,
Sit in a cage and sing?
How can a child, when fears annoy,
But droop his tender wing,
And forget his youthful spring!

O Father and Mother, if buds are nipp’d,
And blossoms blown away;
And if the tender plants are stripp’d
Of their joy in the springing day,
By sorrow and cares dismay—

How shall the summer arise in joy,
Or the summer fruits appear?

---

🌟 STANZA–WISE EXPLANATION

Stanza 1

“I love to rise on a summer morn…”

• The boy loves waking up on a warm summer morning.
• Birds sing joyfully, the huntsman blows his horn, and the skylark sings.
• Nature feels happy, alive, and full of freedom.

Meaning:
The boy enjoys nature and feels natural happiness when he is free.

---

Stanza 2

“But to go to school in a summer morn…”

• The moment he is forced to go to school, his joy disappears.
• At school, he feels watched by a “cruel eye” (the strict teacher).
• Children spend the day sighing, unhappy and stressed.

Meaning:
Strict schooling destroys the natural joy of children.

---

Stanza 3

“Ah then at times I drooping sit…”

• He feels tired, sad, and worried at school.
• He cannot enjoy reading or learning.
• The school feels like a depressing place, not joyful.

Meaning:
Children cannot learn happily when they are sad, stressed, or scared.

---

Stanza 4

“How can the bird that is born for joy…”

• A bird born to fly and sing cannot be happy in a cage.
• Similarly, a child cannot be joyful if he is filled with fear.
• His natural excitement for life disappears.

Meaning:
Children need freedom and happiness to grow, not fear or pressure.

---

Stanza 5

“O Father and Mother, if buds are nipp’d…”

• If young buds are destroyed early, they cannot grow into flowers.
• If tender plants lose joy in spring, they will grow weak.

Meaning:
If children lose their happiness in childhood, their future will be damaged.

---

Stanza 6

“How shall the summer arise in joy…”

• If childhood (spring) is ruined, adulthood (summer) cannot be joyful.
• Their future success and happiness will suffer.

Meaning:
A joyful childhood is the foundation of a joyful future.

---

🌟 Overall Meaning 

• Blake says children should learn with joy, not fear.
• Strict, joyless schooling harms the natural growth of a child.
• Childhood is like spring—full of new energy.
• If this joy is destroyed, the child’s whole life gets affected.

---

🌟 Moral of the Poem

• Children need freedom, joy, and a friendly learning environment.
• Pressure and strictness destroy creativity and happiness.
• Protect childhood—it shapes the child's futu

Quality by John Galsworthy

Author Introduction – John Galsworthy

John Galsworthy (1867–1933) was a famous English novelist, short-story writer, and playwright. He is best known for The Forsyte Saga. Galsworthy often wrote about social issues, justice, human values, and the struggles of ordinary people. His writing is simple yet powerful, and he received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1932.

 His story “Quality” highlights honesty, dedication, and the dignity of hard work.

Main Characters

The Narrator

 A loyal customer who admires the craftsmanship of the Gessler brothers.

Mr. Gessler (Elder Brother)

 A skilled bootmaker known for his perfection, honesty, and commitment to quality.

Mr. Gessler (Younger Brother)

 Equally talented, hardworking, quiet, and dedicated to making the best boots.

Modern Commercial Firms (Competitors)

 Big companies who focus on advertisement and quicker production rather than quality.

Theme of the Story

Dedication to Quality: The story celebrates true craftsmanship and the value of hard work.

Struggle Against Modern Commercialism: Skilled workers like the Gesslers suffer because large companies use marketing and mass production.

Honesty and Integrity: The Gessler brothers prioritize quality over profit, showing the importance of sincerity in work.

Human Values & Sacrifice: Their devotion is so deep that they sacrifice their health and life for their art.

Summary of “Quality”

“Quality” tells the touching story of the Gessler brothers, German bootmakers in London, who are famous for making the finest, perfectly fitting boots. They work slowly because they make everything by hand, carefully and patiently.

The narrator has been their customer since childhood. He admires their dedication and the quality of their boots, which always last long. However, the brothers face a big challenge: large commercial shops that produce boots quickly and advertise heavily. Even though the Gesslers make better boots, they cannot compete with these big companies.

The brothers work day and night, eating very little and earning very little. Their commitment to perfection becomes their greatest struggle. First, the younger brother dies from overwork. 

The elder brother continues alone, but his health declines too. Eventually, he also dies, exhausted and defeated by the commercial world.

The narrator realizes that the Gesslers’ downfall was not because of lack of skill, but because the modern business world prefers speed and advertisement over true craftsmanship. 

The story ends as a tribute to their passion, honesty, and the “quality” they dedicated their lives to.

The Summit Within by H.P.S. Ahluwalia

 

✍️ About the Author – Major H.P.S. Ahluwalia

Full Name: Hari Pal Singh Ahluwalia

Birth: 2nd November 1936, in Himachal Pradesh, India.

Profession: Indian mountaineer, soldier, author, and social worker.

Achievements:

Mountaineering: Member of the first successful Indian expedition to Mount Everest (1965).

Reached the summit along with other Indian climbers, making India proud on the world stage.

Military Service:

Served as an officer in the Indian Army. Fought in the Indo-Pak war of 1965, where he was injured and left paralyzed from the waist down.

Author:

Wrote several inspirational books, including Higher than Everest, The Summit Within, and Eternal Himalaya.

His writings blend adventure, philosophy, and motivation.

Social Work:

After his accident, he dedicated his life to helping others with disabilities.

Founded the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (New Delhi) to support and rehabilitate people with spinal cord injuries.

Honours & Awards:

Awarded Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, and the Arjuna Award for his achievements in mountaineering and social service.

🌟 Why He is Special

H.P.S. Ahluwalia’s life is an example of courage, resilience, and service. Despite being paralyzed, he turned his personal struggle into a source of strength for others. Through his writings like The Summit Within, he teaches that true conquest is not of mountains, but of the self.

🌄 The Summit Within

“The Summit Within” is an autobiographical piece written by Major H.P.S. Ahluwalia, who was a member of the first successful Indian expedition to Mount Everest in 1965. After reaching the highest peak of the world, he reflects that climbing mountains is not just a physical adventure but also a spiritual and emotional experience.

He explains that external climbing (scaling mountains) and internal climbing (overcoming difficulties within oneself) are deeply connected. The real summit lies in conquering fear, doubt, and weakness. Achieving self-confidence, humility, and courage is a greater victory than climbing Everest itself.

Ahluwalia emphasizes that the struggle to climb a mountain is symbolic of life’s struggles—every obstacle we face is like a peak we must conquer.

👤 Characters in the Lesson

Major H.P.S. Ahluwalia – Mountaineer, soldier, and writer. He narrates his experiences of climbing Mount Everest, along with his reflections on the inner strength and spiritual satisfaction gained through such struggles.

⭐ Importance of the Lesson

Life Lesson – Teaches that success in life is not just about external achievements but also about inner growth.

Symbolism – The mountain becomes a symbol of challenges in life.

Inspiration – Encourages readers to face difficulties with courage, discipline, and determination.

Values – Promotes humility, perseverance, self-realization, and the idea that real conquest is of the self, not just the world outside.

🌟 Importance of the Lesson 

Teaches Perseverance and Determination

The lesson shows that great achievements, like climbing Mount Everest, require courage, strong willpower, and determination.

It inspires students to keep moving forward despite hardships, just like mountaineers do while facing rocks, snow, storms, and exhaustion.

Symbolism of Life’s Struggles

The mountain is not just a physical challenge; it symbolizes the difficulties and struggles we face in life.

Just as a climber overcomes one peak after another, we too must overcome fear, doubt, and failure to achieve success.

Focus on Inner Growth

H.P.S. Ahluwalia explains that the real summit lies within us.

Conquering pride, selfishness, fear, and weakness is more important than conquering a mountain.

This idea makes the lesson deeply spiritual and philosophical.

Encourages Humility and Gratitude

Standing on the world’s highest peak made the writer feel humble in front of nature’s greatness.

The lesson reminds us that true achievement should not make us arrogant but more grateful and grounded.

Develops Confidence and Self-Belief

By showing how he conquered Everest, Ahluwalia inspires readers to believe in themselves.

He teaches that every challenge can be overcome with self-confidence and discipline.

Motivates to Face Challenges in Real Life

The essay is not only about mountaineering but also about facing life’s difficulties.

It gives courage to students and readers to climb their own “personal Everest”—whether it is studies, career goals, or personal struggles.

Promotes Spiritual Realization

The lesson highlights that material achievements are temporary, but self-realization and inner peace are lasting.

It connects physical success with spiritual satisfaction, teaching a balance between outer and inner life.

✨ In Essence:

The lesson “The Summit Within” is important because it is not just about a mountaineer’s adventure but about the deeper meaning of life. It teaches us that the greatest conquest is not over mountains, wealth, or power, but over our own weaknesses, fears, and doubts. It inspires us to be strong, humble, determined, and spiritually aware.