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Class 7 English · Unit 1 · Learning Together

Try Again

Complete textbook exercise solutions — NCERT Poorvi, Class 7 English (CBSE).

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IComplete the summary of the poem with suitable words from the box.

The poem, written in a narrative style, tells the story of King Bruce of Scotland, who was feeling 1. low after failing multiple times to achieve something 2. great for his people. In a moment of 3. despair, he observed a spider trying to reach its web high above. The spider 4. mounted every time it fell after getting close to its goal. It made nine 5. attempts and finally succeeded. The king said that the spider had 6. conquered and so would he. Inspired by the spider’s determination, King Bruce decided to 7. strive. When he 8. tried this time, he ultimately succeeded.

IIComplete the following sentences suitably.

1. We can say that the poet uses the narrative style because ______.
the poem tells a story. It has a beginning, a middle and an end, and it describes events one after another.

2. The central idea of the poem is ______.
that we should never give up. We must keep trying till we succeed.

IIIPick three examples from the poem for each of the following.

1. Lines that describe the spider’s efforts
“It soon began to cling and crawl / Straight up with strong endeavour;”

“Up, up it ran, not a second to stay,”

“Steadily, steadily, inch by inch, / Higher and higher he got;”

2. Alliteration
“cling and crawl” – /k/ sound

“slippery sprawl” – /s/ sound

“defied despair” – /d/ sound

IVWhy does the poet repeat the words or phrases: tried and tried; steadily, steadily; up, up?

The repetition shows that the effort was continuous. King Bruce tried many times. The spider climbed again and again, slowly but surely. Repetition also adds rhythm and stresses the message of perseverance.

VFill in the blanks by choosing the correct answer.
  • 1. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ______. — ABAB
  • 2. ‘Bravo’ is an example of ______. — interjection
  • 3. The poet uses ’twas and ’tis for the sake of ______. — rhythm
VI.1Identify metaphors and similes. Write M for metaphor and S for simile.
  1. He ran as fast as a cheetah. – S
  2. The world is a stage. – M
  3. The night was as dark as coal. – S
  4. He sang like an angel. – S
  5. Her voice was music to his ears. – M
  6. The classroom was a zoo. – M
  7. The baby slept like a log. – S
  8. Her smile was as bright as the sun. – S
  9. The lake was a mirror, reflecting the sky. – M
VI.2Transform the similes to metaphors and metaphors to similes.
  • (iii) The book was like a treasure chest, filled with endless adventures. (simile)
  • (iv) Her laughter was like a melody that brightened the darkest days. (simile)
  • (v) The mountain was a guard, watching over the valley below. (metaphor)
  • (vi) The night was a velvet cloak, wrapping the world in mystery. (metaphor)
  • (vii) Her thoughts were butterflies in a summer meadow. (metaphor)

Let us think and reflect

I.1Read the extract and answer the questions.
He flung himself down in low despair, / As grieved as man could be; / And after a while he pondered there, / “I’ll give it all up,” said he. …

(i) Select the phrase which shows the physical expression of the King’s emotional state.
“He flung himself down in low despair”

(ii) Why does the poet use the word ‘low’ before despair?
The word ‘low’ shows how deep his sadness was. The King had lost all hope and was very low in spirit.

(iii) The word ‘pondered’ means ______.
B. thought

(iv) The phrase ‘silken filmy clue’ creates an image of something that is ______.
very delicate and soft

I.2Read the extract and answer the questions.
“…when it toils so hard to reach and cling, And tumbles every time.” But up the insect went once more, Ah me! ’tis an anxious minute; …

(i) Complete the analogy. toil : hard :: ______ : ______
A. roll : tumble

(ii) List any two characteristics of the spider highlighted in the line, ‘But up the insect went once more’.
determination and persistence (it never gives up)

(iii) The expression ‘Ah me!’ indicates a sense of ______.
B. stress

(iv) Readers are able to relate to this extract because ______.
everyone has faced failure and felt anxious just before reaching a goal.

IIAnswer the following questions.

1. How does the first stanza help in setting the mood of the poem?
The first stanza shows King Bruce lonely and sad. His heart is sinking because he has failed. This sets a gloomy mood of despair at the beginning.

2. Describe how King Bruce’s attitude changes from the beginning towards the end of the poem.
At the beginning, King Bruce is sad and hopeless. He wants to give it all up. After watching the spider, he becomes hopeful and determined. He tries once more and succeeds.

3. The poet describes every action of the spider in great detail. What does this tell us about his attitude towards the spider?
It shows that the poet admires the spider. He respects its courage and hard work. He calls its attempts “brave” and cheers for it.

4. How does the spider inspire us to overcome despair and not give up?
The spider fell many times but never stopped. It kept climbing and finally reached its web. It teaches us that failure is not the end. If we keep trying, we will succeed.

5. The poem teaches us that failures are stepping stones to success. Explain.
The spider fell nine times. Each time it tried again and went a little higher. On the tenth try it reached its home. Similarly, King Bruce failed many times but finally succeeded. Every failure takes us a step closer to success.

6. The spider’s journey tells us that anyone can be a source of inspiration in our lives. Elaborate.
A tiny spider inspired a great king. This shows that inspiration can come from anyone—a small creature, a child or an ordinary person. We should observe the world around us and learn from it.

Let us learn

IWrite the opposites of the following words taken from the poem.
  1. up x down
  2. fast x slow
  3. glad x sad
  4. win x lose
  5. succeed x fail
IIChoose the correct meaning of the underlined words. Frame sentences of your own.
  • (i) endeavour – an attempt to do something new or difficult.
    Sentence: She made an endeavour to learn swimming.
  • (ii) toil – work very hard and/or for a long time.
    Sentence: Farmers toil in the fields all day.
  • (iii) strive – to try very hard to achieve something.
    Sentence: We must strive to keep our school clean.
  • (iv) braced – prepared themselves for something difficult.
    Sentence: The villagers braced themselves for the storm.
IIIClassify the words or phrases based on distance (far or near).
FarNear
middle of nowhereproximity
remotenessvicinity
yonderadjacent
afara stone’s throw
light yearhairline
farther
IVCreate more tongue twisters of your own.

Examples:

  • Tina’s tiny turtle tried to trot to town.
  • Six sly snakes slid slowly south.
  • Brave Bruce bravely braced to battle.

Let us listen

I & IIListen to the story about an ant and answer.
  • 1. What was the ant known for? — (i) determination
  • 2. Why was the ant unable to take the roti home? — (ii) It was too heavy to carry.
  • 3. What was the bird doing? — (iii) picking up leaves
  • 4. How did the bird make the ant feel? — (ii) inspired
  • 5. How did the fellow ants help? — (iii) by joining the ant in her efforts

Let us speak

Narrate a personal experience when you were motivated to never give up.

Let us write

Write a letter to your cousin on how you plan to overcome any difficult situation.

20, Rajendra Nagar
Jeevanpur
23 August 20XX

Dear Monika,

Thank you for your letter asking me about my plans for the Mathematics exam. You know I failed in the last test. I felt very sad, but I have now made a plan.

To begin with, I will make a timetable and study Maths for one hour every day. Next, I will practise the sums that I find difficult. After that, I will ask my teacher to clear my doubts. Then, I will solve old question papers. Finally, I will revise everything one week before the exam.

Like the spider in the poem ‘Try Again’, I will not give up. I advise you also not to quit when things get hard. Keep trying and you will surely succeed.

Convey my regards to uncle and aunt.

Yours affectionately,
Deepa

Let us explore

IINote down the differences between a spider and an ant.
SpiderAnt
It is an arachnid.It is an insect.
It has eight legs.It has six legs.
Its body has two parts.Its body has three parts.
It has no antennae.It has a pair of antennae.
It spins a web to catch food.It lives in an anthill and collects food.
I & IIIFolk songs and weaving a spider web.
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