“The Day the River Spoke”, is a thoughtful story from Class 7 English Chapter 1. The chapter helps students understand the value of kindness, honesty, and respect for nature. It tells a story of how a king learns an important life lesson when a river “speaks” to him in an unexpected way. The chapter is written in a simple language and carries a strong moral message that is easy for Class 7 students to comprehend and relate to.
This page provides a free PDF of the NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English Chapter 1 in an easy-to-read format. These solutions are prepared according to the latest NCERT syllabus and CBSE guidelines. Each answer is explained clearly so that understanding the story, themes, and character actions better is easier for the readers. Practising these solutions can improve reading comprehension, answer-writing skills, and confidence for exams.
The free PDF of the NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English Chapter 1 The Day the River Spoke is available for download below. The solutions answer the textbook questions clearly. Download the PDF now for quick revision.
This chapter teaches important values through a simple story and gentle narration. Below are the key lessons explained briefly to help students understand the main ideas clearly.
Let us discuss
1. What was Jahnavi’s dream? Was it important to her? Why?
Ans. Jahnavi’s dream was to go to school and learn to read and write. It was important to her because she wanted to understand things like why spiders are yellow, why bamboo rustles, and other questions. Learning would make her happy and help her feel equal to her siblings.
2. Do you think the river can help her in fulfilling her dream? How?
Ans. Yes, the river helps Jahnavi by encouraging her to be brave and go to school. It tells her to try sitting in class and listening, which gives her the courage to take the first step toward the dream.
Complete the table given below with Jahnavi’s questions in Column 1 and the River’s answers in Column 2. Check your answers with the teacher.
Let us think and reflect
I Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
“You shouldn’t cry, you know,” the voice went on. “And you really shouldn’t be scared, when you have been coming here to see me every day, well, almost every day.” She was puzzled. It was such a voice,
like the river. It couldn’t be the river! “Well, tell me all about it,” said the River, for it was the River. “I’ve got to hurry to reach the sea, you know.”
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)
Ans. assuring
ii. Select a phrase from the extract which shows that Jahnavi was a frequent visitor to the spot.
Ans. The phrase showing Jahnavi was a frequent visitor is “when you have been coming here to see me every day, well, almost every day”.
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. disbelief
Ans. D. disbelief
iv. Choose three qualities of the River highlighted in the extract from the words in the box given below.
affectionate forgiving thoughtful impatient kind-hearted
Ans. affectionate, thoughtful, kind-hearted
2. “Can I do something?” asked Jahnavi. “Well, it’s up to you,” said the River. “Seems to me little girls can do as much as little boys—they swim as fast as little boys. 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.” “I couldn’t,” gasped Jahnavi. “I couldn’t! They’d scare me! They’d chase me out.”
i. Complete the sentence with an appropriate reason.
According to the River, there was no difference between girls and boys because.
Ans. they can do the same things, like swim as fast
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.
Ans. True.
Reason: It tells her to try school and trust herself.
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. confidently
Ans. C. quietly
iv. What does the repetition of the phrase I couldn’t, tell us?
Ans. scared and unsure
II Answer the following questions.
1. Why 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?
Ans. The writer describes the kingfisher’s blue wings, the green lizard, and the river to create a beautiful picture and show Jahnavi’s love for nature. It makes the story enjoyable and hints that the river is special. The writer does this to capture our interest and connect Jahnavi to her surroundings.
2. How did the River know so much about Jahnavi?
Ans. The River knew a lot because Jahnavi visited it nearly every day, talking and sharing her thoughts. It observed her and saw she was not afraid of lizards or other creatures.
3. Jahnavi 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?
Ans. Jahnavi thinks she is too old (almost 10) to start school, and perhaps her family or the school will not allow older students. She feels she has missed her chance.
4. Why did the River laugh when Jahnavi said she would be scared at school?
Ans. The River laughed because Jahnavi is brave with lizards and spiders but scared of school. It finds this funny since she is usually fearless.
5. Why should Jahnavi follow the River’s advice?
Ans. She should follow it because the River knows her, well and gave her a good plan to sneak into school. It worked, and the teacher agreed.
6. How does the conversation between Jahnavi and the River make the story more appealing?
Ans. The talking river makes the story exciting and magical. It reveals Jahnavi’s hopes and fears, keeping us eager to know what happens next.
7. What is the main message that the writer intends to convey?
Ans. The writer teaches us to be brave and pursue our dreams, like going to school. It also shows that girls can do anything boys can if they try well.
(Session 2026 - 27)