English Poorvi Class 7 Try Again Question & Answers

Let us discuss

Page No. 19

I. Complete the summary of the poem by filling in the blanks with suitable words from the text given in the box below. Share your answers with the teacher. An example has been given.

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

Answer: 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.

II. Complete the following sentences suitably.

1. We can say that the poet uses the narrative style because ________.

Answer: We can say that the poet uses the narrative style because the poem tells a story about King Bruce and the spider, describing events in a sequential and detailed manner.

2. The central idea of the poem is ________.

Answer: The central idea of the poem is perseverance and determination— never giving up despite repeated failures, as shown through the spider’s efforts and King Bruce’s realisation.

III. Pick three examples from the poem for each of the following:

1. lines that describe the spider’s efforts

Answer:

• “It soon began to cling and crawl / Straight up with strong endeavour;”
• “Up, up it ran, not a second to stay, / To utter the least complaint;”
• “Steadily, steadily, inch by inch, / Higher and higher he got;”

2. alliteration (the repetition of the same consonant sounds at the beginning of closely connected words)

Answer:

• “Fast, now slow” – The repetition of the ‘s’ sound in “slow” and T sound in “fast”.
• “Bravo, bravo!” – The repetition of the ‘b’ sound.
• “Foolish thing will strive” – The repetition of the ‘s’ sound in “strive” and ‘f sound in “foolish”.

IV. Why does the poet repeat the following words or phrases in the poem?

tried and tried; steadily, steadily; up, up

Answer:

• tried and tried: The repetition underscores the persistent effort and determination of both King Bruce and the spider. It highlights the idea that success comes through repeated attempts despite failures, reinforcing the poem’s central message of perseverance.
• steadily, steadily: This repetition emphasizes the consistent and unwavering effort of the spider as it climbs. It conveys a sense of calm, focused progress, illustrating the importance of patience and steady determination in overcoming challenges.
• up, up: The repetition reflects the spider’s continuous upward movement, symbolizing progress and the drive to reach a goal. It also creates a sense of momentum and optimism, mirroring the gradual ascent toward success.

V. Fill in the blanks by choosing the correct answer from within the brackets.

1. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ____________. (AABB/ABBA/ABAB)
2. ‘Bravo’ is an example of ____________. (conjunction/interjection/ adjective)
3. The poet uses ‘twas and ‘tis for the sake of ____________. (rhythm/ rhyme/contraction)

Answer: 1. AABB, 2. interjection, 3. contraction

VI. The spider’s climbing is compared to King Bruce’s own struggles. Just as the spider repeatedly attempts to reach its web, Bruce is trying to achieve a great deed for his people. This poetic device is called metaphor. It strengthens the poem’s message about perseverance-keep trying till we succeed.

Answer: The poem “Try Again” employs a metaphor to compare the spider’s persistent efforts to climb to its web with King Bruce’s struggles to achieve a great deed for his people. This metaphor strengthens the poem’s message of perseverance by illustrating that both the spider and King Bruce face repeated failures yet continue to strive toward their goals, emphasizing the importance of persistence.

1. Identifying Metaphors and Similes:

(i) He ran as fast as a cheetah. – S (Simile, uses “as” to compare running speed to a cheetah.)

(ii) The world is a stage. – M (Metaphor, directly states the world is a stage, implying life is like a performance.)

(iii) The night was as dark as coal. – S (Simile, uses “as” to compare the darkness of the night to coal.)

(iv) He sang like an angel. – S (Simile, uses “like” to compare singing to an angel’s voice.)

(v) Her voice was music to his ears. – M (Metaphor, implies her voice is music, suggesting it is pleasant and soothing.)

(vi) The classroom was a zoo. – M (Metaphor, directly states the classroom is a zoo, implying chaos or disorder.)

(vii) The baby slept like a log. – S (Simile, uses “like” to compare the baby’s deep sleep to a log’s stillness.)

(viii) Her smile was as bright as the sun. – S (Simile, uses “as” to compare the brightness of her smile to the sun.)

(ix) The lake was a mirror, reflecting the sky. – M (Metaphor, states the lake is a mirror, implying it perfectly reflects the sky.)

2. Transforming Similes to Metaphors and Metaphors to Similes:

(i) Knowledge spreads like the branches of a mighty tree.

• Metaphor: Knowledge is a spreading branch of a mighty tree.

(ii) His courage was a beacon, guiding us through the storm.

• Simile: His courage was like a beacon guiding us through the storm.
• Simile: His courage was as bright as a beacon guiding us through the storm.

(iii) The book was a treasure chest, filled with endless adventures.

• Simile: The book was like a treasure chest, filled with endless adventures.
• Simile: The book was as rich as a treasure chest, filled with endless adventures.

(iv) Her laughter was a melody that brightened the darkest days.

• Simile: Her laughter was like a melody that brightened the darkest days.
• Simile: Her laughter was as sweet as a melody that brightened the darkest days.

(v) The mountain stood as a guard, watching over the valley below.

• Metaphor: The mountain was a guard, watching over the valley below.

(vi) The night was like a velvet cloak, wrapping the world in mystery.

• Metaphor: The night was a velvet cloak, wrapping the world in mystery.

(vii) Her thoughts were like butterflies in a summer meadow.

• Metaphor: Her thoughts were butterflies in a summer meadow.

1. Read the following sentences and identify metaphors and similes. Write M for metaphor and S for simile.

(i) He ran as fast as a cheetah.

(ii) The world is a stage.

(iii) The night was as dark as coal.

(iv) He sang like an angel.

(v) Her voice was music to his ears.’

(vi) The classroom was a zoo.

(vii) The baby slept like a log.

(viii) Her smile was as bright as the sun.

(ix) The lake was a mirror, reflecting the sky

Answer: (i) S, (ii) M, (iii) S, (iv) S, (v) M, (vi) M, (vii) S, (viii) S, (ix) M

2. Read the following sentences and transform the similes to metaphors and metaphors to similes. Two examples have been given.

(i) Knowledge spreads like the branches of a mighty tree.

Knowledge is a spreading branch of a mighty tree.

ii) His courage was a beacon, guiding us through the storm.

• His courage was as bright as a beacon guiding us through the storm.
• His courage was like a beacon guiding us through the storm.

(iii) The book was a treasure chest, filled with endless adventures.

Answer: The book was like a treasure chest, filled with endless adventures.

(iv) Her laughter was a melody that brightened the darkest days.

Answer: Her laughter was like a melody that brightened the darkest days.

(v) The mountain stood as a guard, watching over the valley below.

Answer: The mountain was a guard, watching over the valley below.

(vi) The night was like a velvet cloak, wrapping the world in mystery.

Answer: The night was a velvet cloak, wrapping the world in mystery.

(vii) Her thoughts were like butterflies in a summer meadow.

Answer: Her thoughts were butterflies in a summer meadow.

Let us think and reflect

Page No. 21

I. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.

1. 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.

Now just at that moment a spider dropped,
With its silken, filmy clue;

(i) Select the phrase which shows the physical expression of the King’s emotional state.

Answer: The phrase “He flung himself down” shows the physical expression of the King’s emotional state, as it depicts his action of collapsing in despair.

(ii) Why does the poet use the word ‘low’ before despair?

Answer: The poet uses the word ‘low’ before despair to emphasize the depth and intensity of the King’s emotional state, suggesting a profound sense of hopelessness and dejection.

(iii) Choose the correct option to complete the sentence.

In the line, ‘And after a while he pondered there’, the word ‘pondered’ means _________.

A. paused B. thought C. noticed D. rested

Answer: B. thought

(iv) Choose the correct option from the words given in the brackets.

The phrase ‘silken filmy clue’ creates an image of something that is _________ (long and light/very delicate and soft).

Answer: very delicate and soft

2. “…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;
He’s only a foot from his cobweb door,
Oh say, will he lose or win it?

(i) Choose the correct option to complete the analogy.

toil: hard::_________: _________.

A. roll: tumble B. tumble: circle
C. compress: roll D. jump: tumble

Answer: A. roll: tumble

• Explanation: The word “toil” is associated with “hard” effort, and similarly, “roll” can be associated with “tumble” as both describe actions involving movement, often with difficulty or lack of control.

(ii) List any two characteristics of the spider highlighted in the line, ‘But up the insect went once more’.

Answer:

• Persistence: The spider continues to climb despite previous failures.
• Determination: The spider keeps trying to reach its goal without giving up.

(iii) Choose the correct option to complete the sentence.

The expression ‘Ah me!’ in the extract indicates a sense of ___________.

A. happiness B. stress
C. relief D. loneline

Answer: B. stress

• Explanation: The expression “Ah me!” conveys a sense of anxiety or concern as the speaker watches the spider’s struggle.

(iv) Complete the sentence with an appropriate reason.

Readers are able to relate to this extract because ________.

Answer: it captures the universal experience of facing repeated challenges and the suspense of striving toward a goal despite setbacks, much like the spider’s persistent efforts to reach its web.

II Answer the following questions.

1. How does the first stanza help in setting the mood of the poem?

Answer: The first stanza sets a melancholic and despondent mood by describing King Bruce in a “lonely mood” with a sinking heart, despite his status as a monarch. His repeated failures to achieve a great deed for his people leave him sad and disheartened, establishing a tone of despair and struggle that sets the stage for the poem’s narrative.

2. Describe how King Bruce’s attitude changes from the beginning towards the end of the poem.

Answer: At the beginning, King Bruce is consumed by despair and sadness, feeling defeated after multiple failed attempts to achieve his goal, to the point of contemplating giving up. By the end, inspired by the spider’s persistent efforts and eventual success, his attitude shifts to one of determination and renewed resolve. He decides to try again, and this time he succeeds, reflecting a transformation from hopelessness to confidence and perseverance.

3. The poet describes every action of the spider in great detail. What does this tell us about his attitude towards the spider?

Answer: The poet’s detailed description of the spider’s actions, such as its repeated climbs, falls, and steady progress, indicates a deep admiration and respect for the spider’s resilience and determination. This meticulous focus suggests that the poet views the spider as a symbol of perseverance and a source of inspiration, worthy of close observation and praise.

4. How does the spider inspire us to overcome despair and not give up?

Answer: The spider inspires us by demonstrating unwavering persistence despite repeated failures. It falls multiple times but continues to climb, ultimately succeeding after nine attempts. This example encourages us to push through despair, remain steadfast in our efforts, and keep trying until we achieve our goals, reinforcing the idea that perseverance can lead to success.

5. The poem teaches us that failures are stepping stones to success. Explain.

Answer: The poem illustrates through the spider’s journey that failures are not endpoints but part of the process toward success. The spider falls multiple times but uses each fall as an opportunity to try again, eventually reaching its web. Similarly, King Bruce, inspired by the spider, overcomes his initial failures by persisting, ultimately succeeding. This teaches that failures provide lessons and opportunities to grow stronger, paving the way for eventual triumph.

6. The spider’s journey tells us that anyone can be a source of inspiration in our lives. Elaborate.

Answer: The spider, a small and seemingly insignificant creature, becomes a powerful source of inspiration for King Bruce through its relentless determination. This suggests that inspiration can come from unexpected sources, regardless of their size or status. The spider’s journey shows that anyone or anything—whether a person, animal, or event—can motivate us to persevere and overcome challenges, highlighting the universal potential for inspiration in our lives.

Let us learn

Page No. 22

I. Write the opposites of the following words taken from the poem.

1. up   x  ______

2. fast  x  ______

3. glad  x  ______

4. win x  ______

5. succeed x  ______

Answer:

1. up × down
2. fast × slow
3. glad × sad
4. win × lose
5. succeed × fail

II. Choose the correct meaning of the underlined words in the following sentences from the box given below. Frame sentences of your own for these words.

(i) Please make every endeavour to arrive on time.

Answer:

• Endeavour: An attempt to do something new or difficult.
• Sentence: Rohan’s endeavour to learn a new language was successful.

(ii) Ants toil tirelessly to save food for rainy season.

Answer:

• Toil: Work very hard and/or for a long time.
• Sentence: Farmers toil in the fields all day to grow crops.

(iii) We encourage all students to strive to do their best.

Answer:

• Strive: To try very hard to achieve something
• Sentence: Students must strive to achieve their dreams with hard work.

(iv) The sailors braced themselves against the strong wind.

Answer:

• Braced: Prepared themselves for something difficult
• Sentence: The team braced themselves for a tough competition.

III. The poem uses words that show distance.

For example:

a long way up, inch by inch, higher and higher, half-yard higher

Classify the words or phrases in the box given below based on the distance (far or near) and write in the space provided. You may take the help of a dictionary.

Answer:

IV. Read the following line from the poem.

‘Twas a delicate thread it had to tread,

Now repeat the lines five to six times. Are you able to say it clearly? Create more tongue twisters of your own.

Answer: Some fun tongue twisters that you can try are:

1. Betty bought a bit of butter, but the butter was bitter.
2. Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
3. Fred’s fresh fried fish fried freshly.
4. Tim the tiny tiger tiptoed through the tangled twigs.

Let us listen

Page No. 24

I. You will listen to a story about an ant. Read the questions given below and before you listen, guess the answers to these questions. (Transcript for the teacher on pg. 40)

1. What was the ant known for?

(i) determination (ii) strength (iii) wisdom

Answer: (i) determination

2. Why was the ant unable to take the roti home?

(i) It was stuck under a rock.
(ii) It was too heavy to carry.
(iii) It was pulled by other ants

Answer: (ii) It was too heavy to carry.

3. What was the bird doing?

(i) playing with the ant
(ii) searching for food
(iii) picking up leaves

Answer: (iii) picking up leaves

4. How did the bird make the ant feel?

(i) proud (ii) inspired (iii) relaxed

Answer: (ii) inspired.

5. How did the fellow ants help?

(i) by advising the ant continuously
(ii) by standing still near the ant
(iii) by joining the ant in her efforts

Answer: (iii) by joining the ant in her efforts.

Let us write

Page No. 26

King Bruce was inspired by the spider that kept on trying till it was successful. Think about the steps you can take to overcome a difficult situation and write them down.

Now, write a letter to your cousin on how you plan to overcome any difficult situation. Also, advise not to quit and persevere.

Remember to use transition words like ‘To begin with…,’ ‘Next…,’ ‘After that…,’ ‘Then…,’ ‘Finally…,’ to share the steps of your plan.

You may begin this way:

You may end this way:

Answer:

20, Rajendra Nagar
Jeevanpur
23 August 2025
Dear Monika,

Thank you for your letter asking me about how I deal with difficult situations. I recently read a poem about King Bruce and the Spider, which taught me an important lesson about never giving up. It made me think about the steps I can take to overcome challenges in my life.

To begin with, I remind myself that every problem has a solution, and I should stay calm instead of panicking. Next, I try to understand the problem properly and think of possible ways to solve it. After that, I break the problem into smaller parts and tackle each one step by step. Then, I seek help from my parents, teachers, or friends if I need guidance. Finally, I keep trying without losing hope, just like the spider in the poem.

I want you to remember this too, Monika—never give up, no matter how hard things seem! Success comes to those who keep trying. If you ever face a tough time, just follow these steps, and you will overcome it. Stay positive and keep believing in yourself!
Looking forward to your reply.

Yours affectionately
Deepa