Travel & Adventure
Complete, step-by-step solutions for The Tunnel, the poem Travel, and Conquering the Summit — every in-text and exercise question answered in detail.
The Tunnel
Suraj befriends the watchman Sunder Singh at a lonely railway tunnel in the jungle — and together they must drive a leopard off the tracks before the night mail arrives.
In-textLet Us Discuss — After Part I
1Suraj compares the train to a magical creature. Pick the phrases that convey the meaning.
The steam engine “shot out of the tunnel, snorting and puffing like some green, black, and gold dragon, some beautiful monster out of Suraj’s dreams” and “roared a challenge to the jungle” — these phrases turn the ordinary train into a fantastical dragon-like beast in Suraj’s imagination.
2Suraj knew that the train was close by because ____________.
he heard a sound like distant thunder issuing from the tunnel, which told him the train was coming through.
3What did Suraj see inside the tunnel?
Inside, the walls were damp and sticky; a bat flew past and a lizard scuttled between the lines. When he came out, dazzled by the light, he also glimpsed a flash of orange and gold with a long swishing tail moving through the trees on the hillside — which turned out to be a leopard.
4What does Sunder Singh convey about the tunnel?
He says that he has lent it to the Government — treating the tunnel as truly his own, since he is the one who looks after it, and merely allows the Government to use it.
5Complete the flow chart showing the watchman’s warning system.
Fig 1 — Sunder Singh’s daily and nightly tunnel-inspection routine, completed with the missing steps (i)–(v).
In-textLet Us Discuss — After Part II
1Sunder Singh knew that the leopard was in the tunnel because ____________.
he heard a new sound reach them distinctly — a rhythmic sawing sound, as if someone was cutting through the branch of a tree — which he recognised as the leopard’s characteristic call.
2Why was Suraj unable to do any shouting in the tunnel at first?
(i) He was afraid of the leopard. The text tells us his throat was “quite dry” as he followed Sunder Singh — a classic physical sign of fear.
3What made the leopard disappear into the darkness?
Suraj and Sunder Singh shouted together, and their voices rang through the tunnel. Uncertain of how many “terrifying humans” it was facing, the leopard turned swiftly and vanished into the darkness.
4How did Suraj know Sunder Singh was at the tunnel?
A week later, travelling through the same tunnel on the night mail with his father, Suraj couldn’t see Sunder Singh in the darkness, but he saw the watchman’s lamp glowing near the tunnel — and that was enough to know his friend was out there.
5Why did Suraj’s father take him along to Delhi?
His father complained that he didn’t know where Suraj “gets to, most of the time,” and felt it was time Suraj learnt something about his business, so he took him along on this business trip.
ExerciseLet Us Think and Reflect
1Extract 1 — “Suraj had to turn and look back… what the inside of a tunnel was really like.”
(i) False. Suraj looked back not to check for the train, but “to reassure himself that there was still daylight outside” — he simply wanted comfort that he hadn’t lost his way in the dark.
(ii) A. there was nothing to see in the tunnel — the text explicitly says “there was nothing to do in the tunnel and nothing to see.”
(iii) The line means that until the next train arrived several hours later, the tunnel/cutting would be left undisturbed by trains or people, and would belong to the animals and jungle life once again — a quiet return to nature.
(iv) This highlights Suraj’s curiosity and adventurous spirit — his simple desire to experience something firsthand rather than just imagine it.
2Extract 2 — “The train will soon be here… You stay here, Suraj.”
(i) The watchman’s concern was that the leopard, if not driven out of the tunnel in time, would be run over and killed by the approaching night mail.
(ii) Sunder Singh was sure the leopard would not attack them because it knew him well — they had seen each other many times before, and the leopard preferred easier prey like goats and stray dogs, not humans.
(iii) C. The leopard in the tunnel attacks goats and stray dogs. and D. Sunder Singh wants to protect Suraj. (both directly supported by the text)
(iv) B. cautious — even though he was confident the leopard wouldn’t harm them, taking the axe shows he was being careful, not reckless.
IIAnswer the following questions.
1. What does Sunder Singh convey by saying he has lent his tunnel to the Government?
He conveys a deep sense of ownership and belonging — since no one else takes any interest in or responsibility for the tunnel, he considers it truly his own domain, and views the Government’s use of it as merely something he has generously permitted, not surrendered.
2. What example does Sunder Singh give to support “It is safer in the forest than in the town”? What does this tell us about him?
He mentions that last month, when he went into town, he was almost run over by a bus, while nothing ever happens to him out in the jungle. This tells us that he trusts and understands the jungle far more than the unpredictable, hectic world of the town — he feels completely at home and safe among the animals and wilderness he knows so well.
3. Sunder Singh has become part of the jungle life. Support this view.
He recognises every night sound of the forest — the barking deer, the fox’s cry, the nightjar’s call, and even the leopard’s distinctive “sawing” sound — without a second thought. He has a personal, trusting relationship with the leopard and lives contentedly and safely alone in the cutting for years, showing he has fully merged with the rhythms of jungle life.
4. What draws Suraj and Sunder Singh together?
Their shared curiosity and love for the jungle and its mysteries draw them together — Suraj’s fascination with the train and tunnel matches Sunder Singh’s quiet enjoyment of jungle life and companionship, and the watchman welcomes the boy’s company warmly, since he doesn’t often have visitors.
5. Why is Sunder Singh referred to as a ‘firefly’?
He is called a firefly because, night after night, his small oil lamp lights up the darkness of the lonely cutting for the passing trains (and even animals like the leopard) — just as a firefly glows steadily in the dark, guiding and warning those who pass by.
6. Do you think Suraj is an adventure-loving boy? Give reasons.
Yes. He cycles alone through the jungle just to watch a train, walks through a pitch-dark tunnel purely out of curiosity, willingly returns at night to a lonely watchman’s hut, and bravely accompanies Sunder Singh to drive out a leopard despite his fear — all clear signs of a boy who seeks out and embraces adventure.
ExerciseLet Us Learn — Grammar & Vocabulary
IComplete the sentences with the suitable phrases.
- We could hear the approaching engine of the train long before it came into view at the station.
- The street was completely dark but the little boy walked to his house guided by the flickering lights from the houses.
- The sawing sound from the carpenter’s workshop grew louder every hour.
- From the balcony, she watched the drifting smoke from her neighbour’s chimney float across the backyard.
IIMatch the sound words with their meanings.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1. creaking | (ii) making a long low sound when a door/wooden object moves |
| 2. chatter | (iii) repeated series of short high sounds made by birds/monkeys |
| 3. hissing | (i) making a noise like a long ‘s’ sound |
| 4. rustle | (v) a soft low, dry sound made by movement of leaves/paper |
| 5. puffing | (iv) blowing with short, quick blasts, as the wind |
Fill in the blanks
- The steam engine reached the station puffing black smoke into the sky.
- Suddenly the snake raised its hood and made a hissing noise.
- When the wind blew, I heard the creaking of the wooden roof.
- He heard a rustle of leaves behind him when he was walking in the woods.
- I get disturbed by the continuous chatter of the monkeys in the neighbourhood.
III.1Why is ‘would’ used in the passage about Sunder Singh’s routine?
(iii) to talk about a habit in the past — describing repeated/routine actions Sunder Singh performed regularly.
III.2Fill in the blanks with ‘used to’ or ‘would’.
When I was a child we used to live in a village near a forest. Back then, we (i) would grow vegetables in our back garden. Every day we (ii) would get up early and go for a walk. The weather in summer (iii) used to be really nice. There was a lake near the house and we (iv) would go there every Sunday for a picnic. Winters (v) used to be rather cold. In the evenings, my father (vi) would tell us incredible stories and we (vii) would listen with admiration.
Note: ‘used to’ fits better with states (be, live) while ‘would’ fits better with repeated actions (grow, get up, go, tell, listen).
IVPunctuate the paragraph using colons and semicolons.
“We explored the busy by-lanes of Charminar, the heart of Hyderabad: it was an exciting day. We wanted to do a few things: buy bangles, taste biryani, and purchase pearl earrings, which are special to this area. As we walked through the lanes, we saw stalls selling spices, clothes, and jewellery; the market was full of colours. We visited some famous spots: Charminar, Golconda Fort, Salar Jung Museum, and Chowmahalla Palace; each place was beautiful.”
🎧Let Us Listen — Museum Treasure Hunt map
Based on the audio guide, the rooms are marked as:
- Room 1 (near Entrance, opposite Museum Shop): Library — to the right of the Entrance Hall.
- Room 2 (straight ahead): Art Gallery — famous for rare Indian paintings.
- Room 3 (first door, left of Art Gallery): Decorative Art Gallery — jewellery, carvings, textiles.
- Room 4 (third door, right of Art Gallery): Weapons Room — bows, swords, shields, helmets.
- Room 5 (left from Weapons Room): Musical Instruments Section, leading to the Auditorium, where the treasure is hidden.
✎Let Us Write — Sample Descriptive Paragraph on a Train Journey
As I boarded the train and found my window seat, a wave of excitement rushed through me. The guard’s whistle pierced the air, sharp and shrill, and slowly the platform began to slide away. Inside, the compartment buzzed with the chatter of passengers settling in, the rhythmic clatter of wheels on the tracks growing steadier with every passing minute. Outside my window, the scenery unrolled like a moving painting — golden fields, small stations with vendors calling out “chai, chai,” and distant hills fading into a hazy blue. Every so often, the train would rattle across a bridge, and I’d feel a thrilling jolt beneath me. As evening approached, the sky turned a soft orange, and the rhythmic hum of the engine became almost hypnotic. I felt a curious mix of excitement and calm — thrilled by the ever-changing view, yet soothed by the gentle, endless rhythm of the journey.
Travel
Though the railroad track is miles away and no train ever actually passes, the speaker’s heart is forever drawn to the whistle, the sparks, and the promise of going anywhere at all.
In-textLet Us Discuss
IMatch each stanza with its main idea.
| Stanza | Main Idea |
|---|---|
| Stanza 1 | 3. The speaker hears the train whistle during the day, even though the train is far away. |
| Stanza 2 | 1. At night, the speaker imagines the train and hears its engine in the quiet. |
| Stanza 3 | 2. The speaker feels a strong desire to take any train, no matter where it goes. |
IIRhyming words in each stanza.
1. Stanza (i): away – day; speaking – shrieking
2. Stanza (ii): by – sky; dreaming – steaming
3. Stanza (iii): make – take; knowing – going
IIIIdentify the rhyme scheme.
3. ABAB
IVWhich word personifies the whistle of the train?
“shrieking” — giving the whistle a human-like, emotional quality, as though it is crying out.
VWords describing the poet’s tone.
curious, thoughtful, content, enthusiastic — the poem reflects a calm yet deeply longing fascination with trains and travel, not worry or criticism.
VIWhat the train symbolises for the poet.
2. adventure and 4. opportunities — the train represents the freedom to go anywhere, and the exciting possibilities that travel holds.
VIIWhy does the poet repeat “…there isn’t a train goes by”?
To highlight the speaker’s fascination with the train — even though no train truly passes, she still imagines hearing and seeing it, showing how deeply the idea of travel occupies her mind.
VIIICommon factor between the busy day and the still night.
In both cases, though no train actually goes by, the speaker still vividly hears the whistle or engine — showing that her fascination with trains is constant and unaffected by time of day; it exists purely in her imagination and longing.
IXSelect phrases that are examples of imagery.
“day is loud” (given), “whistle shrieking”, “cinders red on the sky”, “engine steaming”, “heart is warm” — each appeals to the senses of sound, sight, or feeling.
ExerciseLet Us Think and Reflect
1Extract — “My heart is warm with the friends I make, And better friends I’ll not be knowing…”
(i) B. full of love
(ii) The speaker says her heart feels warm because of the friends she has made, and she doesn’t believe she could ever know better friends than these.
(iii) It suggests deep affection, contentment, and gratitude — she feels she has already found the very best companions and has no wish to look elsewhere.
(iv) The tone of the speaker in these lines is grateful.
IIAnswer the following questions.
1. What does ‘cinders red on the sky’ tell us about the train at night?
It suggests that, in the speaker’s imagination, the train’s fiery sparks glow vividly red against the night sky — conveying how vivid and alive her mental picture of the train is, even though she cannot see it in reality.
2. What is the significance of the repeated references to the train’s whistle?
The whistle becomes a recurring symbol of freedom, possibility, and the call of adventure — something the speaker’s mind returns to again and again, whether or not a train is actually passing.
3. What does ‘no matter where it’s going’ reveal about the speaker’s attitude towards travel?
It reveals that the destination doesn’t matter to her at all — what excites her is simply the act of travelling itself, showing an open, adventurous, and free-spirited attitude toward journeys.
4. Do you think the poet actually sees and hears the train? Why or why not?
Probably not in reality — the poem states plainly that “there isn’t a train goes by all day” and “all night there isn’t a train goes by.” The whistle, cinders, and steam she describes are products of her imagination and deep longing for travel, showing just how powerfully she is drawn to the idea of trains even in their absence.
ExerciseLet Us Learn
IMatch the expressions with what they indicate.
| Expression | Indicates |
|---|---|
| 1. miles away | (v) The distance of the train from the speaker |
| 2. cinders red | (iv) The glow of the train’s sparks lighting up the night sky |
| 3. heart is warm | (i) The speaker’s affection for their friends |
| 4. day is loud | (iii) The busy and noisy atmosphere during the day |
| 5. engine steaming | (ii) The fast and powerful movement of the train |
Fill in the blanks
- After meeting her old friend, her heart was warm with the joy of rekindled memories.
- As I arrived at the railway station I could hear the engine steaming.
- The marketplace is bustling, and the day is loud with the chatter of shoppers and vendors.
- The bonfire glowed brightly, throwing cinders red into the dark night sky.
- The sound of a train could still be heard miles away as the evening grew quiet.
IIMatch the sound words with their meanings, then fill the paragraph.
| Meaning | Word |
|---|---|
| 1. shouting loudly, often in anger/excitement | (iv) yelling |
| 2. crying out in fear or excitement | (vii) screaming |
| 3. crying loudly with grief or sorrow | (vi) bawling |
| 4. making a high-pitched, piercing sound | (iii) screeching |
| 5. calling out loudly, casual/informal | (ii) hollering |
| 6. crying softly in a low, broken voice | (v) whimpering |
| 7. crying loudly and uncontrollably | (i) wailing |
The street was filled with a variety of sounds. A shopkeeper was 1. hollering to attract customers, while a child nearby was 2. yelling at his friend to wait for him. From the other side of the road, a toddler was 3. wailing uncontrollably after dropping his ice cream, and his mother tried to calm him as he began 4. whimpering softly. In the background, someone’s loud 5. screeching voice added to the bustling noise of the busy evening.
✎Let Us Write — Sample Diamante Poem (Reading → Adventure)
Quiet, thoughtful
Imagining, learning, wondering
Books, pages — trails, mountains
Climbing, discovering, daring
Bold, thrilling
Adventure
ExerciseLet Us Listen — School Trip Announcement
1Circle the information that is NOT correct, then rectify it.
| # | Statement as given (Incorrect) | Correction |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trip organised on 15 September | Actually organised on 16 September. |
| 2 | Start at 8.00 am, return by 5.00 pm | Return is actually at 5.30 pm. |
| 3 | Refreshment will not be provided | Light refreshments will be provided at the museum. |
| 4 | Permitted to carry a phone, notebook, and pen | Mobile phones are not permitted; only a notebook and pen may be carried. |
| 5 | Slip signed by the class teacher | The permission slip must be signed by a parent. |
| 6 | Slip submitted by 10 September | Correct — no change needed. |
| 7 | Mr. Mukherjee is the Adventure Club in-charge | He is actually the excursion in-charge. |
Conquering the Summit
The inspiring true story of Arunima Sinha, who lost a leg in a train accident and went on to become the first Indian female amputee to climb Mount Everest — and later, all Seven Summits.
In-textLet Us Discuss
Fig 2 — The Seven Summits, the highest peak on each continent, all conquered by Arunima Sinha.
IExplain each statement in your own words.
1. Arunima Sinha is considered a beacon of hope and resilience.
Despite the devastating loss of her leg, she refused to be defeated and turned her tragedy into extraordinary achievement — her story inspires countless people to keep hoping and fighting through their own hardships.
2. Arunima decided to climb Mount Everest despite losing her leg.
Even while lying in her hospital bed with an amputated leg, she made the bold vow not only to walk again with a prosthetic leg but to conquer the world’s highest peak — turning what most would see as an impossible dream into her life’s mission.
3. Bachendri Pal’s guidance was crucial in Arunima’s journey.
As the first Indian woman to summit Everest, Bachendri Pal trained and mentored Arunima, giving her the confidence and belief that she had “already conquered the Everest within” herself — this encouragement was vital to her eventual success.
4. Arunima’s achievements go beyond just physical endurance.
Her journey required immense mental fortitude and a positive mindset, not just physical strength — her message about setting worthy goals and never giving up shows her achievement was as much a triumph of the mind as of the body.
5. Arunima’s autobiography inspires readers around the world.
Her book, Born Again on the Mountain, shares her journey from a devastating accident to reaching the top of the world, encouraging readers everywhere to face their own adversities with courage and never abandon their goals.
ExerciseLet Us Think and Reflect
1Extract — Bachendri Pal’s words & reaching the summit.
1. Bachendri Pal said Arunima had conquered the Everest within her because she had already shown extraordinary courage and determination by deciding to attempt the climb with a prosthetic leg — the hardest mental battle was already won before she even began the physical ascent.
2. Arunima likely felt inspired, encouraged, and more confident — Bachendri Pal’s words would have strengthened her resolve and belief in her own ability to succeed.
3. “after 52 exhausting days” shows that reaching the summit was tiring.
4. (iv) I finally realised my dream
IIAnswer the following questions.
1. What did Arunima do to fulfil her ambition of conquering Mount Everest?
She completed a basic mountaineering course at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering in Uttarkashi, underwent eighteen months of rigorous training, and sought the guidance of Bachendri Pal, the first Indian woman to summit Everest.
2. Arunima is a beacon of hope and resilience. Support this with evidence.
She survived a horrific train accident and leg amputation, then not only relearned to walk with a prosthetic leg but trained rigorously to become the first Indian female amputee to summit Everest, and later the first female amputee to climb Mount Vinson, completing all Seven Summits — a journey that has inspired people worldwide.
3. Why is the title ‘Born Again on the Mountain: A Story of Losing Everything and Finding It Back’ appropriate?
The title captures how her devastating accident (losing her leg — “losing everything”) became the very turning point that gave her a powerful new purpose and identity (“born again”), which she rediscovered and fulfilled through mountaineering (“finding it back”).
4. What impact might Arunima’s statement about failure and goals have on readers?
It would likely encourage readers to set bigger, more meaningful goals for themselves instead of settling for easy ones, and to view setbacks not as failures but as part of the journey toward genuine achievement.
ExerciseLet Us Learn — Grammar & Vocabulary
IMatch the underlined phrases with their meanings.
- (i) “exhausting days” → 3. periods of time filled with tiring and demanding activities
- (ii) “heartfelt attempts” → 1. genuine, sincere efforts
- (iii) “life-altering” → 4. an incident/experience that significantly changes a person’s life
- (iv) “mental fortitude” → 2. strength of mind
- (v) “beacon of hope” → 5. a source of inspiration or encouragement
IIComplete the word-forms table.
| Nouns | Adjectives | Verbs | Adverbs |
|---|---|---|---|
| determination | determined | determine | determinedly (given) |
| relief | relieved | relieve | relievedly |
| inspiration | inspiring | inspire | inspiringly |
| resistance | resistant | resist | resistantly |
| success | successful | succeed | successfully |
III.1Fill the blanks with ‘a’, ‘an’, ‘the’, or ‘x’ (no article).
We planned (i) an adventurous trip to (ii) a remote island. (iii) The island was known for its beautiful landscapes and (iv) x diverse wildlife. On (v) the first day, we set out to explore (vi) the island’s dense jungle. (vii) A guide led us through (viii) the thick foliage and showed us (ix) a hidden waterfall. In (x) the evening, we gathered around (xi) a campfire to share stories and enjoy (xii) the meal we cooked. (xiii) The experience was truly unforgettable, and we felt (xiv) a connection with (xv) x nature.
III.2Correct the article error in each sentence.
- We waited for an hour before the bus finally arrived. (hour has a silent ‘h’, starts with a vowel sound)
- The guide insisted on a uniform jacket for the group’s safety during the trek. (uniform starts with a /j/ consonant sound)
- Mount K2 is the second highest peak in the world. (ranking/superlative-type phrases take ‘the’)
- The Ganga is a sacred river in India, known for its cultural importance. (names of rivers take ‘the’)
- Challenges are faced with courage and determination by the brave. (‘the’ + adjective refers to a group of people)
- The North Star has guided travellers for centuries. (unique objects take ‘the’)
ExerciseLet Us Listen — Opinions on Adventure Sports
✓Match the statements to the correct speaker (3 statements are extra).
| Statement | Speaker |
|---|---|
| 1. Talks about having basic activities in adventure sports | Speaker (iv) — school camps stick to basic, safe activities |
| 2. Finds adventure sports thrilling and exciting | Speaker (ii) — “Adventure sports are thrilling!” |
| 3. Praises the availability of a variety of activities | Extra — not mentioned by any speaker |
| 4. Expresses concern about the risks in adventure sports | Speaker (i) — the worried parent |
| 5. Promotes trekking as a casual sport | Extra — not mentioned by any speaker |
| 6. Invites applications from first-timers | Extra — not mentioned by any speaker |
| 7. Focuses on the availability of training and supervision | Speaker (iii) — the camp organiser |
| 8. Finds exposure to risks unnecessary | Speaker (v) — prefers traditional sports like track/swimming |
ExerciseLet Us Write
1Match the formal letter components to the sample letter.
| Part of Letter | Component |
|---|---|
| Sender’s Address | sender’s address |
| Date | date |
| Receiver’s Address / ___ School | receiver’s address |
| Subject: Request to join Adventure Club | subject |
| Madam/Sir, | salutation |
| “I am Sreelakshmi, a student of Grade 7-C…” | introduction |
| “I would love to be a part of the Adventure Club…” | expression of interest |
| “I request you to grant me permission…” | statement of request |
| Yours sincerely, | complimentary close |
| Sreelakshmi | signature line |
2Sample Letter — Requesting an excursion to a hill station
Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
11 July 20XX
The Principal
Sunrise Public School
Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
Subject: Request to organise an excursion to a hill station
Madam,
I am writing on behalf of the students of Grade 7 to request that an excursion be organised to a nearby hill station this term.
Many of us are keen to experience nature closely, learn about the local geography, and take part in simple outdoor activities such as short treks and nature walks, which would make a refreshing change from our regular classroom routine and also strengthen teamwork among students.
I would be grateful if you could consider this request and let us know a suitable date, along with any guidelines students should follow.
Yours sincerely,
Aanya Sharma
Class 7, Section B