Reviewing the Poorvi Book Class 7 Solutions Unit 2 Wit and Humour Chapter 6 Say the Right Thing Questions and Answers before exams can boost your confidence.
Say the Right Thing Class 7 Questions and Answers
Say the Right Thing Class 7 Question Answer
NCERT Class 7 English Poorvi Chapter 6 Say the Right Thing Question Answer
Let us discuss (NCERT 74)
I. Complete the table given below based on Scene I of the play. An example has been done for you. Share your answers with your classmates and the teacher.
Answer:
II. Do you think Mary will be able to follow her mother’s advice successfully when Mrs. Harding and Mrs. Lee visit? Why or why not?
Answer:
No, Mary does not follow her mother’s advice successfully. Although she tries to be polite, she makes many awkward and rude comments unknowingly. She ends up embarrassing the guests and her mother by speaking without thinking.
Let us discuss (NCERT PAGE 77)
I. Rectify the false statements given below from Scene II of the play. An example has been done for you. Share your answers with your classmates and the teacher.
Question 1.
Mrs. Harding states that they do not like London as it is not the same as Lanfield.
Answer:
Rectification Mrs. Harding states that they like Lanfield very much even though it is not the same as London.
Question 2.
Mrs. Harding was pleased to know that Mary was familiar with her children.
Answer:
False Statement Mrs. Harding was pleased to know that Mary was familiar with her children.
Rectification Mrs. Harding was not pleased because she does not have any children.
Question 3.
Mrs. Shaw shared that she liked Mrs. Best as she read a lot of newspapers.
Answer:
False Statement Mrs. Shaw shared that she liked Mrs. Best as she read a lot of newspapers.
Rectification Mrs. Shaw shared that she liked Mrs. Best as a person, not for reading newspapers.
Question 4.
Mrs. Harding and Mrs. Shaw agree that wearing a blue dress with a red coat is unfashionable.
Answer:
False Statement Mrs. Harding and Mrs. Shaw agree that wearing a blue dress with a red coat is unfashionable.
Rectification Mrs. Harding mentions she often wears a blue dress with a red coat; Mrs. Shaw quickly says she likes that combination.
Question 5.
Mary shares that she finds the dog outside the window cute.
Answer:
False Statement Mary shares that she finds the dog outside the window cute.
Rectification Mary says the dog looks dirty and criticises it, not knowing it belongs to Mrs. Harding.
Let us think and reflect (NCERT PAGE 78)
I. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
1. Mary: What are you going to talk about?
Mrs. Shaw: I don’t know. All kinds of things. One day you’ll have to go to some of these houses yourself and talk to the people there.
Mary: I can talk now. I’ve been able to talk for a long time.
Mrs. Shaw: Yes, that’s true. You always talk too much. But does anyone want to hear the things that you say?
Mary: I can talk very well when I like. I’ll stay with you today and talk to them when they come.
Mrs. Shaw: Oh, I don’t think so. You can go out for a walk. It will be better if you do that.
(i) What does Mrs. Shaw imply when she says, “One day you’ll have to go to some of these houses yourself and talk to the people there”?
(a) She believes Mary should start learning about hosting guests then.
(b) She thinks Mary is ready to visit these houses independently.
(c) She wants Mary to develop social skills for the future.
(d) She hopes Mary will avoid these social interactions entirely.
Answer:
(c) She wants Mary to develop social skills for the future.
(ii) Complete the following sentence with the correct option from the brackets.
Mrs. Shaw and Mary are discussing how to _____ (have a polite conversation/get to know people better).
Answer:
have a polite conversation
(iii) Why did Mary insist on staying with her mother when the guests arrived?
Answer:
Mary insisted on staying with her mother when the guests arrived as Mary believed she knew how to speak politely and wanted to show her mother she could manage a conversation well.
(iv) Match the following character traits to the characters in the extract
A. eager
B. inexperienced
C. cautious
Answer:
Mary eager, inexperienced
Mrs. Shaw cautious
2. Mary: I saw Mrs. Cotter this afternoon. I met her in the street. No one sees her in the morning because she always stays in bed then. And she’s always asking the doctor to go to see her. I can’t understand women who stay in bed in the morning. And why must she always ask for the doctor? I’ve never been to a doctor in my life.
Mrs. Harding : I stay in bed in the morning myself.
(i) Complete the following sentence suitably.
Mary could spot Mrs. Cotter in the street because ______ .
Answer:
Mrs. Cotter stays in bed in the morning and goes out only in the afternoon.
(ii) What does Mary’s comment about Mrs. Cotter staying in bed and calling the doctor suggest about her understanding?
(a) She is worried about why Mrs. Cotter stays in bed all morning.
(b) She is unable to understand why people need medical help.
(c) She thinks Mrs. Cotter is scared and lonely for staying in bed.
(d) She believes Mrs. Cotter is right to rest and take care of herself.
Answer:
(b) She is unable to understand why people need medical help.
(iii) How can we say that Mary enjoyed good health?
Answer:
Mary proudly says she has never been to a doctor in her life, which shows she enjoys good health.
(iv) Identify whether the following statement is true or false.
Mary might have unintentionally offended Mrs. Harding.
Answer:
True
II. Answer the following questions.
Question 1.
What does Mary’s comment about Mr. Best’s routine and profession reveal about her viewpoint on bankers and their way of life?
Answer:
Mary believes bankers live a dull and meaningless life. She mocks Mr. Best for commuting and reading newspapers daily, thinking such a life lacks joy or purpose.
Question 2.
What can we infer about Mary’s understanding of polite conversation based on her interactions with the guests?
Answer:
Mary lacks real understanding of polite conversation. Though she tries, she often makes inappropriate remarks, showing her inexperience and lack of social awareness.
Question 3.
What do you think the repeated stage direction ‘no one speaks’ indicates about the atmosphere in the room when Mary speaks?
Answer:
The repeated stage direction ‘no one speaks’ indicates the awkwardness and discomfort caused by Mary’s comments. Her words often leave the guests speechless or offended.
Question 4.
How does Mary’s attitude towards the guests change throughout the play?
Answer:
At first, Mary is confident and eager to impress. But as the conversation goes wrong, she becomes embarrassed and unsure of what to say.
Question 5.
What do Mrs. Harding’s and Mrs. Lee’s responses to Mary’s blunders during their visit reveal about their characters?
Answer:
Mrs. Harding’s and Mrs. Lee’s responses to Mary’s blunders show they are polite and composed despite being offended. It highlights that they are well-mannered and understanding.
Question 6.
In what way does the play show the importance of knowing how to engage in polite conversation?
Answer:
The play shows that politeness involves not just talking, but thinking before speaking. It highlights that being respectful and sensitive to others’ feelings is essential in social settings.
Let us learn (NCERT PAGE 80)
Question 1.
Study the following words taken from the text. humorous, hilariously, coming, beautiful
The given words are made by adding word endings like -ous, -ly, -ing and -ful to the root words humour, hilarious, come, and beauty. Such word endings are called suffixes.
humour + -ous
hilarious + -ly
come + -ing
beauty + -ful
Note: the spelling variant when the word ends in ‘ e ‘ as in ‘come’ and ‘ $y$ ‘ as in ‘beauty’.
Now, divide the following words from the text as root words and suffixes. Check your answer with the teacher.
Answer:
Question 1.
Study the words in Column 1. Match the suffixes in Column 2 with their meanings or purpose in Column 3. Write a few examples for each in Column 4. Share your answers with the teacher.
Answer:
(ii) guidance
(iii) laughed
(iv) forward
(v) dangerous
(vi) quickly, silently
(vii) fastest, strongest
(viii) boxes
Question 2.
Fill in the blanks using words given in the brackets by adding suitable suffixes.
To communicate (i) ________ (effective), choose your words and topics (ii) ________ (wise). Avoid (iii) ________ (discuss) things you don’t know much about or that could upset someone. Remember to be (iv) ________ (respect) towards others, including yourself, and express your (v) ________ (appreciate). Finally, always be (vi) ________ (response) by replying promptly to communicate.
Answer:
(i) effectively
(ii) wisely
(iii) discussing
(iv) respectful
(v) appreciation
(vi) responsive
II. Read the highlighted words in the following sentences from the text.
- But does anyone want to hear the things that you say?
- I can’t tell you everything.
Select the correct answer.
Is there a difference in the meanings of ‘say’ and ‘tell’? (Yes/No)
- ‘Say’ focuses on the message and does not always require a listener.
- ‘Tell’ focuses on who receives the message and always needs a listener.
1. Fill in the blanks with suitable words from the sets of words given in the box below. Make changes in the verb forms (tense), if necessary.
- fetch: go somewhere to get something and bring it back
- bring: take something with you to the place you are going
- see: something that we view, whether or not we pay attention
- look: focus your eyes in a certain direction by paying attention
- live : permanent place of residence
- Stay: temporary presence in a location as guest or visitor
- study : spend time learning something as part of formal education
- learn: gain knowledge or skill through study or experience
- speak: express thoughts or ideas aloud, often in formal situations
- talk: engage in informal conversation with someone
- hear: perceive sounds unintentionally through the ears
- listen: pay attention to sounds or speech intentionally
(i) I ________ at the photo, but I didn’t ________ anyone familiar.
Answer: looked, see
(ii) I’d better go and ________ my mother from the station, and then ________ her home.
Answer: fetch, bring
(iii) I need to ________ for my mathematics exam this weekend, so I hope to ________ new concepts along the way.
Answer: study, learn
(iv) I can ________ the music from my neighbour’s house, but I need to ________ to it carefully to understand the lyrics.
Answer: hear, listen
(v) “Could I ________ to Mrs. Kalpana, who is going to ________ to us about gardening,” said Ritu.
Answer: speak, talk
(vi) I ________ in a small town, but I often ________ with my relatives in the city.
Answer: live, stay
III. Read the following sentences from the text and underline the verbs.
- They lived in London before.
- I met her in a shop and asked her to come.
As you know, the verbs you have underlined are in simple past tense. (actions that happened in the past or distant past)
Read the following sentence from the text and underline the verb.
She has been staying with them for a while.
The verb you have underlined is in present perfect continuous tense.
We use present perfect continuous (has/have + been + verb + -ing) to indicate.
The duration of an action that started in the past and continues up to the present moment.
- Mrs. Shaw has been preparing the room since the morning for Mrs. Harding and Mrs. Lee’s visit.
An action that was ongoing in the recent past, with its results evident now. The focus is on the ongoing activity rather than its dompletion.
- Mrs. Shaw has been cleaning the room since the morning. (The room looks spotless now.)
- The students have been practising a play about the story. (They are rehearsed and ready.)
Answer:
- They lived in London before.
Verb: lived (Simple Past) - I met her in a shop and asked her to come.
Verbs: met, asked - She has been staying with them for a while.
Verb: has been staying (Present Perfect Continuous)
1. Fill in the blanks using the verbs given in brackets in present continuous or present perfect continuous tense.
The students (i) ________ (organise) a play and (ii) ________ (prepare) for weeks to make everything perfect. The performers (iii) ________ (rehearse) every day, and their excitement (iv) ________ (grow). The sound in-charge (v) ________ (test) the microphones to check the sound quality. Everyone (vi) ________ (work) hard, and now the place (vii) ________ (buzz) with energy and excitement.
Answer:
(i) are organising
(ii) have been preparing
(iii) have been rehearsing
(iv) has been growing
(v) is testing
(vi) has been working
(vii) is buzzing
IV. Read the explanation about the kinds of sentences given in the table below.
1. Identify the kinds of sentences and punctuate them appropriately.
(i) the meeting starts at 10.00 a.m. in the conference room
Answer:
The meeting starts at 10.00 a.m. in the conference room. Declarative
(ii) what an exciting adventure it was
Answer:
What an exciting adventure it was! Exclamatory
(iii) how did you solve the problem so quickly
Answer:
How did you solve the problem so quickly? Interrogative
(iv) what is the weather forecast today
Answer:
What is the weather forecast today? Interrogative
(v) how beautiful is the rainbow
Answer:
How beautiful is the rainbow! Exclamatory
(vi) clean up your room before dinner
Answer:
Clean up your room before dinner. Imperative
(vii) the children are planning a surprise party for their mom
Answer:
The children are planning a surprise party for their mom. Declarative
(viii) turn off the music
Answer:
Turn off the music. Imperative
Let us write (NCERT PAGE 86)
Rewrite the play ‘Say the Right Thing’ as a short story, focusing on Mary’s interactions with her mother and the guests.
Ensure the story captures the main events, character emotions, and humorous moments effectively.
Use paragraphs to organise your story and include descriptive language to bring the characters and events to life.
You may refer to the following hints:
Begin with an introduction : describe Mary and Mrs. Shaw, their relationship and the setting of the story.
Explain Mrs. Shaw’s instructions to Mary before the guests arrive and Mary’s confidence in handling the situation.
Include key moments of humour and awkwardness to maintain the tone of the play.
Conclude by commenting on how the visit ended and Mary’s impact on the situation.
Answer:
Mary Shaw was a cheerful, talkative girl who lived with her mother, Mrs. Shaw, in Lanfield. One afternoon, her mother was preparing the house for an important visit from Mrs. Harding and Mrs. Lee. She was hoping to build social connections in their new town. Mrs. Shaw, concerned about Mary’s chatty nature, advised her to behave politely and say the right things when the guests arrived.
Although Mary confidently insisted she could speak well, the visit turned into a series of humorous blunders. Mary mistakenly claimed that Mrs. Harding had children. She then mocked a banker’s life (unaware Mrs. Lee’s brother was one) and criticised people’s fashion and routines-only to realise she was offending the guests with every remark.
Despite Mrs. Shaw’s attempts to smooth things over, the room often fell into uncomfortable silence. As the guests got ready to leave, Mary mixed up her goodbye lines. She hilariously said, “Must you stay? Can’t you go?” instead of the polite farewell her mother had taught her.
The visit ended awkwardly, leaving Mrs. Shaw embarrassed but the readers thoroughly entertained. The story reminds us that while good intentions are important, it’s equally essential to think before we speak.
Let us explore (NCERT PAGE 86 & 87)
I. Work in groups. Enact your favourite part of the play.
Points to remember:
- Allot a specific role to each member in the group. For example: director, narrator and characters
- Include the actions and expressions as indicated in brackets in the play.
Answer:
Do it yourself.
II. Find out how people greet guests who visit their homes in different languages.
Answer:
(Sample)
- Hindi: Namaste/Swagat Hai
- French: Bonjour/Bienvenue
- Spanish: Hola/Bienvenido
- Japanese: Konnichiwa/Youkoso
- Arabic: Marhaban/Ahlan wa sahlan
III. ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (वसुधैव कुटुम्बक्म) is a Sanskrit phrase which means the world is one family. Vasudha (वसुधा) means Earth; eva (एव) translates to ‘is thus’ and Kutumbakam (कुटुम्बक्म) means ‘family’. The phrase originates from ancient Indian texts like the Maha Upanishad and the Hitopadesha.
This saying highlights the interconnectedness of all people, suggesting the humanity is part of a single global family. It encourages unity, cooperation, and treating others with kindness and empathy, regardless of differences in nationality, race, or religion. The message is often used to promote global peace and mutual understanding among diverse cultures and nations. ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ was chosen as the theme for the G20 Summit which captured the essence of global unity, common bonds, and shared aspirations for a better future.
Answer:
The Sanskrit phrase ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ means ‘The world is one family’. It promotes unity and harmony by encouraging people to treat everyone with respect, kindness and empathy, regardless of nationality, race or religion. It teaches that we all share a common humanity and must work together for peace and a better future. This ideal was also the theme of the G20 Summit.