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The Day the River Spoke — NCERT Solutions

CBSE · Class 7 · English

NCERT Solutions for The Day the River Spoke, CBSE Class 7 English: 38 textbook questions solved step by step. Part of the CBSE Class 7 English syllabus.

75 questions32 flashcards5 concepts

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38 Questions Solved · 14 Sections

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Table CompletionComplete the table with Jahnavi's questions in Column 1 and the River's answers in Column 2.Show solution

Given: The story 'The Day the River Spoke' by Kamala Nair.

The completed table is as follows:

Column 1 (Jahnavi's Questions)Column 2 (River's Answers)
...why the moon always comes from behind the hills...?(The River explains the movement of the moon — it rises from behind the hills because of the way the earth moves.)
(Why can't I go to school? / Can I go to school like the boys?)...little girls can do as much as little boys.
(What are ships?)Big boats, so big that they can take hundreds of people, and they sail along the sea with lights that shine all night.
Will they come here?(No, the big ships sail on the sea, not up the river. But Chandu's catamaran goes down to the sea.)

Note: Students should verify the exact wording with their teacher, as some answers depend on the full text of the story.

Let us think and reflect — Section I (Extract-based Questions)

I.1.(i)Complete the sentence with the correct option from those given in the brackets. The tone of the River in the given extract is _______________ (assuring/sympathising).Show solution

Given: The River says, 'You shouldn't cry, you know. And you really shouldn't be scared, when you have been coming here to see me every day, well, almost every day.'

Answer: The tone of the River in the given extract is assuring.

Reason: The River is not merely feeling sorry for Jahnavi; instead, it is calming her fears and building her confidence by reminding her that she is no stranger to the River. This is a tone of reassurance, not just sympathy.

I.1.(ii)Select a phrase from the extract which shows that Jahnavi was a frequent visitor to the spot.Show solution

Given: The extract from the story.

Answer: The phrase 'you have been coming here to see me every day, well, almost every day' shows that Jahnavi was a frequent visitor to the spot by the River.

This phrase clearly indicates that Jahnavi visited the River regularly, making it a habit.

I.1.(iii)Choose the correct option to complete the sentence. The use of an exclamation mark at the end of the line, 'It couldn't be the river!' expresses _______________. A. excitement B. hesitation C. irritation D. disbeliefShow solution

Answer: D. Disbelief

Reason: Jahnavi was puzzled and could not believe that the voice she heard was actually the River speaking to her. The exclamation mark here conveys her shock and disbelief at the impossible-seeming situation — a river talking to her.

I.1.(iv)Choose three qualities of the River highlighted in the extract from the words in the box: affectionate, forgiving, thoughtful, impatient, kind-hearted.Show solution

Given: The River speaks gently to Jahnavi, comforts her, listens to her problem, and encourages her.

Answer: The three qualities of the River highlighted in the extract are:

  1. Affectionate — The River speaks to Jahnavi warmly and caringly, like a close friend.
  2. Thoughtful — The River is considerate of Jahnavi's feelings and addresses her fears with care.
  3. Kind-hearted — The River is gentle and good-natured in its approach towards the crying child.

(Note: 'Impatient' is not a quality shown here, as the River patiently listens despite saying it must hurry to the sea.)

I.2.(i)Complete the sentence with an appropriate reason. According to the River, there was no difference between girls and boys because _______________.Show solution

Given: The River says, 'Seems to me little girls can do as much as little boys — they swim as fast as little boys.'

Answer: According to the River, there was no difference between girls and boys because little girls can do as much as little boys — they are equally capable, as seen by the fact that they swim just as fast as boys.

The River uses the example of swimming to show that girls are physically and mentally equal to boys and should therefore have equal access to education.

I.2.(ii)Identify whether the following statement is true or false. The River encourages Jahnavi to have faith in herself and fulfill her desire to go to school.Show solution

Answer: True.

Reason: The River tells Jahnavi, 'You just slip along one morning and sit there in the school and listen to what's going on, and maybe the teacher will let you stay.' This clearly shows that the River is encouraging Jahnavi to believe in herself and take the step towards attending school, thereby fulfilling her desire for education.

I.2.(iii)Choose the correct option to complete the sentence. When the River suggests that Jahnavi should 'slip along', it means that she should move ___________. A. quickly B. casually C. quietly D. confidentlyShow solution

Answer: C. Quietly

Reason: The phrase 'slip along' suggests moving in an unobtrusive, quiet manner — without drawing attention to oneself. The River is advising Jahnavi to go to school without making a fuss or causing a scene, so that she can simply sit and listen without being noticed or chased away.

I.2.(iv)What does the repetition of the phrase 'I couldn't' tell us?Show solution

Given: Jahnavi says, 'I couldn't! I couldn't! They'd scare me! They'd chase me out.'

Answer: The repetition of the phrase 'I couldn't' tells us that Jahnavi is deeply afraid and lacks confidence in herself. The repetition emphasises the intensity of her fear and self-doubt. She is so overwhelmed by the thought of going to school that she cannot even imagine doing it. It shows how strong the social barriers and her own inner fears are, making her feel completely incapable of taking that step.

Let us think and reflect — Section II (Answer the following questions)

II.1Why does the writer describe different aspects of nature in great detail at the beginning of the story? Why do you think the writer does this?Show solution

Given: The story begins with vivid descriptions of the river, the fields, the birds, and the natural surroundings.

Answer: The writer describes different aspects of nature in great detail at the beginning of the story to set the scene and create a vivid, immersive atmosphere for the reader. By painting a rich picture of the natural world — the flowing river, the rice fields, the kingfisher, the frogs — the writer:

  1. Establishes the setting of a rural village in India, helping the reader visualise Jahnavi's world.
  2. Introduces the River as a living, breathing presence, making it believable that the River could later speak to Jahnavi.
  3. Creates a mood of peace and wonder, which makes the magical conversation between Jahnavi and the River feel natural and fitting.

The writer does this to draw the reader into the story gently and to make the extraordinary event (the River speaking) seem like a natural part of this world.

II.2How did the River know so much about Jahnavi?Show solution

Given: The River knows about Jahnavi's daily life, her desire to go to school, and her family.

Answer: The River knew so much about Jahnavi because Jahnavi visited the River almost every day. As the River itself says, 'you have been coming here to see me every day, well, almost every day.' Over these daily visits, Jahnavi must have talked to the River, played near it, and shared her thoughts and feelings. The River, being a keen observer of everything around it — the village, the people, the fields — had watched Jahnavi grow up and had listened to her stories. Through these regular interactions, the River had come to know Jahnavi very well.

II.3Jahnavi says, 'And I'm so old now, they'll never let me go.' What can you infer about Jahnavi and the school from this line?Show solution

Given: Jahnavi makes this statement when expressing her desire to go to school.

Answer: From this line, we can infer the following:

  1. About Jahnavi: She is a girl who has been denied the opportunity to go to school for a long time. She feels that she has already crossed the age at which children normally start school, and therefore believes it is too late for her. This shows her sense of hopelessness and resignation about her own future.
  1. About the school/society: The line suggests that in Jahnavi's village, there was a social norm or expectation that girls either did not go to school or started very young. The fact that she considers herself 'too old' (though she is still a child) reflects the limited access to education for girls in her community and the rigid social attitudes of the time.
II.4Why did the River laugh when Jahnavi said she would be scared at school?Show solution

Given: Jahnavi expresses fear about going to school, saying she would be scared and chased out.

Answer: The River laughed when Jahnavi said she would be scared at school because the River found her fear unnecessary and a little amusing. The River knew that Jahnavi was a brave and curious girl — she came to the River every day, asked intelligent questions, and was eager to learn. The River had seen her courage in her daily life. Therefore, when Jahnavi expressed fear about simply sitting in a classroom, the River laughed gently, not to mock her, but to reassure her that her fear was unfounded. The River believed in Jahnavi's capabilities more than Jahnavi believed in herself.

II.5Why should Jahnavi follow the River's advice?Show solution

Given: The River advises Jahnavi to go to school and assures her that girls are as capable as boys.

Answer: Jahnavi should follow the River's advice for the following reasons:

  1. The River knows her well: The River has observed Jahnavi for years and understands her potential and capabilities better than she understands herself.
  2. The advice is wise and practical: The River does not ask Jahnavi to do anything dangerous. It simply suggests she go to school quietly and see if the teacher allows her to stay — a small, manageable step.
  3. The River believes in equality: The River's advice is based on the fair and correct belief that girls are as capable as boys and deserve the same opportunities.
  4. The outcome proves the advice right: Jahnavi does follow the advice, and she succeeds — she is allowed to stay in school. This shows that the River's guidance was sound and trustworthy.
  5. Education will transform her life: By going to school, Jahnavi gains knowledge and later dreams of becoming a teacher herself, showing the far-reaching positive impact of following the River's advice.
II.6How does the conversation between Jahnavi and the River make the story more appealing?Show solution

Given: The central element of the story is the magical conversation between Jahnavi and the River.

Answer: The conversation between Jahnavi and the River makes the story more appealing in several ways:

  1. Use of personification: By giving the River a voice and a personality, the writer uses the literary device of personification, which makes the story imaginative, magical, and engaging for young readers.
  2. Emotional connection: The River speaks to Jahnavi with warmth, affection, and wisdom, creating an emotional bond that the reader can feel. This makes the story touching and memorable.
  3. Natural setting as a guide: The idea that nature itself — in the form of the River — encourages a girl to seek education is a powerful and beautiful message. It makes the story feel timeless and universal.
  4. Curiosity and wonder: Jahnavi's questions about the moon, frogs, ships, and the sea make the conversation lively and interesting, reflecting the natural curiosity of a child.
  5. Relatable theme: The conversation addresses the real issue of girls' education in a gentle, story-like way, making the message accessible and appealing to readers of all ages.
II.7What is the main message that the writer intends to convey?Show solution

Given: The story follows Jahnavi, a village girl who wants to go to school but faces social barriers.

Answer: The main message that the writer intends to convey is that education is the right of every child, regardless of gender. Through the story of Jahnavi and the River, the writer highlights:

  1. Gender equality in education: Girls are as capable and deserving of education as boys. The River's words — 'little girls can do as much as little boys' — sum up this message.
  2. The power of courage and self-belief: Jahnavi overcomes her fear and takes the brave step of going to school. The writer encourages children, especially girls, to believe in themselves.
  3. The transformative power of education: Once Jahnavi gets the opportunity to learn, she dreams of becoming a teacher and educating other girls in her village, showing how education creates a positive ripple effect in society.
  4. Harmony with nature: The story also suggests that nature is wise and nurturing, and that we should listen to the world around us.

In essence, the writer conveys that every girl deserves the chance to learn, grow, and contribute to society.

Let us learn — Section I (Grammar: Personification and Capital Letters)

IYou have learnt that naming words are called nouns and only proper nouns begin with a capital letter. Why has the author used a capital letter for the 'River' even when it is a common noun?Show solution

Given: In the story, the word 'River' is written with a capital letter throughout, even though it is a common noun.

Answer: The author has used a capital letter for 'River' because the River has been given the qualities of a human being — it speaks, thinks, feels, laughs, and gives advice. This literary device is called personification, where a non-human thing is given human characteristics.

By capitalising 'River', the author treats it as a proper noun — almost like a character with its own identity and name, similar to how we would capitalise the name of a person. The capital letter signals to the reader that the River is not just a body of water but a living, thinking, feeling character in the story, deserving of the same respect and recognition as a human being.

This technique makes the River feel more real, important, and central to the story.

Let us learn — Section II (Sound Words)

II — DefinitionsThere are a few words related to sound in the text. Pick the words from the text and write them next to the correct definition.
1. made a high-pitched piercing sound
2. to cause liquid to strike or fall on something
3. a low continuous background noise
4. cry with loud uncontrollable gasps
5. to make a soft dry sound, like paper or leaves moving
6. took a short quick breath through the mouth due to surprise, pain or shock
7. shaking rapidly to make continuous short, sharp sounds
8. making a lot of noise
9. made a long, high cry, usually because of pain or sadnessShow solution

Given: Sound words from the text of 'The Day the River Spoke'.

Answers:

  1. made a high-pitched piercing sound — shrieked
  2. to cause liquid to strike or fall on something — splash / splashed
  3. a low continuous background noise — murmur
  4. cry with loud uncontrollable gasps — sob
  5. to make a soft dry sound, like paper or leaves moving — rustle / rustled
  6. took a short quick breath through the mouth due to surprise, pain or shock — gasped
  7. shaking rapidly to make continuous short, sharp sounds — rattled
  8. making a lot of noise — noisy / clamorous
  9. made a long, high cry, usually because of pain or sadness — wailed
II — Fill in the blanksFill in the blanks with suitable sound words from exercise (II).
The classroom grew (i) ______ as the students noticed the teacher carrying the answer papers. As the teacher turned the pages with a (ii) ______, the children (iii) ______, wondering what comments awaited. Someone (iv) ______ in frustration, and the (v) ______ of the students steadily increased. Finally, when the teacher praised the students for their excellent performance, the students (vi) ______ with excitement.Show solution

Given: Sound words identified from the text.

Answers:

(i) The classroom grew noisy as the students noticed the teacher carrying the answer papers.

(ii) As the teacher turned the pages with a rustle, the children (iii) murmured, wondering what comments awaited.

(iv) Someone sobbed in frustration, and the (v) murmur of the students steadily increased.

(vi) Finally, when the teacher praised the students for their excellent performance, the students shrieked with excitement.

Let us learn — Section III (Words Borrowed from Indian Languages)

IIIFind out the meanings of these words and from which Indian language they were borrowed. An example has been given: catamaran (Tamil — 'kattu maram' meaning 'tied wood').
1. karma (Sanskrit)
2. sahib
3. chutney
4. guru
5. verandah
6. jungle
7. areca
8. palanquin

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Let us learn — Section IV (Boats of India)

IV.(i)Which one would you like to travel in?

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IV.(ii)Make a colourful drawing of a boat that you would like to travel in.

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Let us learn — Section V (Crossword Puzzle — Water Transport)

VSolve the crossword puzzle based on words related to water transport.
Across:
1. a large vessel used for transporting goods or passengers by sea
2. a small vessel for travelling on water, typically propelled by oars, sails, or an engine
3. a flat floating structure for travelling across water
4. a boat or ship driven by steam
Down:
5. a small, light, narrow boat, pointed at both ends and moved using a paddle
6. a boat with a powerful engine which can change direction easily and is used to pull large ships into and out of port
7. a boat with sails and sometimes an engine, used for either racing or travelling for pleasure, rhymes with 'cot'

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Let us learn — Section VI (Prepositions — Fill in the blanks)

VIFill in the blanks with suitable prepositions given within the brackets.
Jahnavi takes the River's advice and goes to school. On her first day 1. ________ (at/in/on) school, Jahnavi stood nervously 2. ________ (in/outside/above) the gate, clutching her bag close to her. The bell rang and she hurried 3. ________ (outside/through/inside) the bustling classroom. She found a seat 4. ________ (among/between/from) two friendly classmates. The teacher greeted them warmly and started the lesson 5. ________ (about/in/for) numbers. Jahnavi listened attentively, feeling excited 6. ________ (at/about/for) the new adventure ahead.

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Let us learn — Section VII (Prepositions and Adverbs — Fill in the blanks)

VIIFill in the blanks with prepositions or adverbs.
1. The cat jumped ________ the table. (preposition)
2. The children played ________ until dark. (adverb)
3. She quickly ran ________ the park. (preposition)
4. The helicopter was hovering _______. (adverb)
5. We were just walking _______, chatting. (adverb)
6. After thoroughly wiping his shoes, he stepped _______. (adverb)
7. She drove slowly _______ the sharp curve. (preposition)
8. He placed the keys _______ the mat before leaving. (preposition)

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Let us listen

IRead the words given in the box. You will listen to five people speak about school life. As you listen, circle the words that are used by the speakers. There are two words you do not need. Words: lawyer, desks, homemaker, principal, posters, newspapers, marriage, advertisements, careers, books

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IIYou will once again listen to the five speakers. As you listen, match each statement 1–7 to each speaker (i)–(v). There are two statements that you do not need.
Statements:
1. Promotes active participation for all in school activities
2. Comments on how school makes learning Mathematics joyful
3. Believes in the power of education that leads to freedom of choice
4. Shares that school also means companionship
5. Understands that boys and girls have different abilities
6. Persuades the parent to grant permission to attend school
7. Believes that learning skills is not gender-based

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Let us speak

IThe River spoke to Jahnavi in a 'sleepy' voice. Work in pairs and take turns to speak the same sentence in 'other' voices: happy, surprised, angry, scared, sad, worried.
Sentence: 'Dear, dear! What's the matter? ... You shouldn't cry, you know. And you really shouldn't be scared, when you have been coming here to see me every day, well, almost every day.'

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IIWork in pairs to ask for and give advice for the following situations. Use the given prompts.
1. You wish to play football at school but it has an all-boys' team only.
2. You have been unable to score well in Mathematics due to nervousness during exams.
3. You really enjoy music classes but do not get enough time to practise for it.
4. You cannot see the blackboard clearly from the last bench.

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Let us write

Descriptive Paragraph — Observing NatureObserve the world around you over the next few days. Write a descriptive paragraph based on what you've observed in nature. Highlight the colours, shapes, textures, and unique details. Give a title to your paragraph.

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Let us explore

IDiscuss why rivers in India are considered to be sacred and most of them are referred to as female. Some rivers are referred to as male, for example, the Brahmaputra and the Sone.

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II.1India is a multilingual country, and many of us can speak two to three languages easily. Make a list of the languages that everyone in the class can speak and display it on a chart paper in the classroom.

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II.2In which language do you enjoy reading and learning the most?

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III.1What are the things you can observe in the poster?

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III.2Why do you think the girls look happy?

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III.3Dignity means 'self-respect'. What is the relation between 'dignity' and 'happiness'?

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III.4How does a Nation prosper when its daughters are happy?

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IVThe Government has launched many schemes for the education of the girl child. Find out more such schemes from the internet or from your teacher and spread awareness in your neighbourhood.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the important topics in The Day the River Spoke for CBSE Class 7 English?
Key topics in The Day the River Spoke include Main Characters and Their Roles, Jahnavi’s Dream, Fear, and Curiosity, The River’s Role in the Story, Jahnavi Goes to School Secretly. Study these first, then practise questions on each for Class 7 exams.
Are these NCERT Solutions for The Day the River Spoke free?
The first 19 of the 38 solutions on this page are open to read. The other 19 are free with a Super Tutor account — signing up is free and needs no card.
How should I revise The Day the River Spoke for Class 7 exams?
Learn the core ideas first, then work through the 75 practice questions on The Day the River Spoke. Revise definitions regularly and use flashcards for quick recall before the exam.

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