What did the River suggest Jahnavi should do to go to school?

Wait for her parents' permission

Why did Jahnavi cry at the start of the story?

She was not allowed to go to school

What did the River mean when it said 'it's up to you'?

Jahnavi had to take her own initiative to go to school

What story was the teacher reading when Jahnavi entered the school?

A story about a prince named Ashoka

How did the teacher find out Jahnavi's name?

A boy in the class told the teacher

What was Jahnavi's ambition for other girls in her village?

To bring all little girls to her school and teach them

What lesson can be learned from the story 'The Day the River Spoke'?

Only parents can give permission for school

Girls should be given the same educational opportunities as boys

How does the River serve as a symbol in this story?

It represents physical barriers to education

It acts as a wise guide that encourages Jahnavi to overcome fear and take initiative

It shows the power of nature over human decisions

Compare Jahnavi's mother's attitude towards education at the beginning and end of the story. What changed?

The mother was always supportive

The mother changed from being dismissive to supportive after the teacher visited

The mother never changed her views

The mother moved from encouraging to discouraging

What does the River's statement 'little girls can do as much as little boys' reflect about society?

Society always treats girls and boys equally

There were gender biases that prevented girls from education

Boys are naturally more courageous

Why did Jahnavi feel 'so old' at nearly ten years old for starting school?

She had too much knowledge already

She had spent years minding younger siblings instead of attending school

The story uses the river as a character. What effect does this have on the narrative?

It makes the story less realistic

It creates a magical tone that makes courage and hope feel natural and accessible

It removes the human element from the story

It confuses the reader about reality

What role do societal expectations play in Jahnavi's struggle to get an education?

They encourage her to go to school

They create barriers that keep girls at home doing domestic work

What deeper message does Jahnavi's decision to become a teacher carry?

She wants to break the cycle of educational deprivation for girls in her village

She wants to prove her mother wrong

How does the author use the setting (river and nature) to develop the theme of education and freedom in this story?

The river is just a backdrop with no symbolic meaning

The river's journey to the sea parallels Jahnavi's own longing for freedom and learning — both are unstoppable forces seeking their destination

Nature represents obstacles to education

The setting is used only to describe weather

What is the significance of Jahnavi keeping Appu on her shoulder while sneaking into school?

It shows how girls are burdened with childcare even while seeking education — she could only learn while fulfilling her domestic role

Evaluate how the River's character challenges the conventional sources of wisdom and authority in the story.

The River adds no value as it is not human

The River challenges parental and societal authority by empowering Jahnavi from within a space where she is free — showing that wisdom can come from unexpected sources

The River only speaks to confuse Jahnavi

The River represents the school principal

NCERT Solutions Class 7 English Chapter 1.1 – The Day the River Spoke

Name: The Day the River Spoke – Class 7 English
Uploaded: 2026-07-23T04:14:36+00:00
Description: Jahnavi dreams of going to school, but her family hesitates. Encouraged by the River, she finds courage, attends school, and promises to help other girls learn too.

Class 7 English

Last Updated: 23 July 2026

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Chapter Introduction

Jahnavi dreams of going to school, but her family hesitates. Encouraged by the River, she finds courage, attends school, and promises to help other girls learn too.

हिंदी में (Hindi)

जाह्नवी स्कूल जाने का सपना देखती है, लेकिन परिवार हिचकिचाता है। नदी के उत्साह से वह साहस जुटाती है, स्कूल जाती है और वादा करती है कि वह अन्य लड़कियों को भी पढ़ाएगी।

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Important Points

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Practice MCQ Questions (30 questions)

Q1. Who is the main character in 'The Day the River Spoke'?

Q2. What was Jahnavi's problem at the beginning of the story?

Q3. What bird swooped down at the beginning of the story?

Q4. What was the name of Jahnavi's elder brother?

Q5. What does the word 'Ettan' mean?

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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FAQs for this chapter will be added soon. Stay tuned!

Tough Words (Glossary)

Splashed

Meaning: To scatter liquid in drops

अर्थ: छपाक करना

"Water splashed when she jumped into the pool."

Kingfisher

Meaning: A brightly colored bird that catches fish

अर्थ: रामचिरैया

"The kingfisher dived into the river for fish."

Slithered

Meaning: To move smoothly over a surface like a snake

अर्थ: सरकना

"The snake slithered across the path."

Bask

Meaning: To lie in warmth and enjoy it

अर्थ: धूप सेंकना

"The cat basked in the sunlight."

Murmuring

Meaning: Speaking in a low soft voice

अर्थ: बुदबुदाना

"I heard her murmuring a song."

Startled

Meaning: Suddenly shocked or surprised

अर्थ: चकित

"She was startled by the loud noise."

Thicket

Meaning: A dense group of bushes or trees

अर्थ: झाड़ी

"A rabbit hid in the thicket."

Shrieked

Meaning: To make a loud, high-pitched cry

अर्थ: चीखना

"The parrot shrieked loudly."

Puzzled

Meaning: Confused and unable to understand

अर्थ: हैरान

"He looked puzzled at the strange question."

Conspiratorially

Meaning: In a secretive way, as if sharing a secret

अर्थ: गुप्त रूप से

"He whispered conspiratorially to his friend."

Pity

Meaning: A feeling of sadness for someone’s troubles

अर्थ: दया

"She felt pity for the hungry child."

Suppose

Meaning: To imagine or think that something is true

अर्थ: मान लेना

"I suppose it will rain today."

Chased

Meaning: To run after in order to catch

अर्थ: पीछा करना

"The dog chased the cat."

Rattling

Meaning: Making a series of short loud sounds

अर्थ: खड़खड़ाना

"The train was rattling over the bridge."

Clump

Meaning: A group of trees, plants, or bushes growing together

अर्थ: झुरमुट

"We saw a clump of bamboo trees."

Catamaran

Meaning: A type of boat with two parallel hulls

अर्थ: कटमरान (नाव)

"The fishermen sailed a catamaran."

Wailed

Meaning: To cry loudly in sadness

अर्थ: रोना-धोना

"The child wailed for his lost toy."

Panting

Meaning: Breathing quickly from effort or excitement

अर्थ: हांफना

"The dog came panting after running."

Squatting

Meaning: Sitting on heels close to the ground

अर्थ: उकड़ूँ बैठना

"Children were squatting on the floor."

Earthen

Meaning: Made of earth or clay

अर्थ: मिट्टी का

"They drank water from an earthen pot."

Scratch

Meaning: To rub with nails or something sharp

अर्थ: खुजलाना

"He scratched his cheek while thinking."

Chuckle

Meaning: To laugh softly

अर्थ: दबी हँसी

"Grandfather chuckled at the joke."

Conspiratorial

Meaning: Suggesting a secret plan

अर्थ: षड्यंत्रकारी

"She gave a conspiratorial smile."

Breathless

Meaning: Unable to breathe easily

अर्थ: साँस फूलना

"He was breathless after climbing the stairs."

Prefer

Meaning: To like one thing more than another

अर्थ: प्राथमिकता देना

"I prefer tea to coffee."

Sail

Meaning: To travel in a boat using wind power

अर्थ: पाल चलाना

"They sailed across the sea."

Gathered

Meaning: To collect together

अर्थ: इकट्ठा होना

"The children gathered near the teacher."

Courage

Meaning: The ability to face fear or difficulties

अर्थ: साहस

"She showed great courage in the exam."

Lesson

Meaning: Something taught or learned

अर्थ: पाठ

"The teacher explained the lesson clearly."

Sums

Meaning: Mathematical calculations

अर्थ: गणित के सवाल

"He solved all the sums correctly."

NCERT Solutions Class 7 English Chapter 1.1 – The Day the River Spoke

Chapter Introduction

Watch Video Lecture

Important Points

Practice MCQ Questions (30 questions)

Q1. Who is the main character in 'The Day the River Spoke'?

Q2. What was Jahnavi's problem at the beginning of the story?

Q3. What bird swooped down at the beginning of the story?

Q4. What was the name of Jahnavi's elder brother?

Q5. What does the word 'Ettan' mean?

Q6. Who spoke to Jahnavi by the river?

Q7. Where was the River going in a hurry?

Q8. What did the River suggest Jahnavi should do to go to school?

Q9. Who was little Appu?

Q10. Who wrote the story 'The Day the River Spoke'?

Q11. Why did Jahnavi cry at the start of the story?

Q12. What did the River mean when it said 'it's up to you'?

Q13. What story was the teacher reading when Jahnavi entered the school?

Q14. How did the teacher find out Jahnavi's name?

Q15. What did Jahnavi want to be when she grew up?

Q16. What was Jahnavi's ambition for other girls in her village?

Q17. What was carrying the baby Appu when Jahnavi went to school?

Q18. Why was the River unable to take Jahnavi to school?

Q19. What lesson can be learned from the story 'The Day the River Spoke'?

Q20. What motivated the teacher to visit Jahnavi's home?

Q21. How does the River serve as a symbol in this story?

Q22. Compare Jahnavi's mother's attitude towards education at the beginning and end of the story. What changed?

Q23. What does the River's statement 'little girls can do as much as little boys' reflect about society?

Q24. Why did Jahnavi feel 'so old' at nearly ten years old for starting school?

Q25. The story uses the river as a character. What effect does this have on the narrative?

Q26. What role do societal expectations play in Jahnavi's struggle to get an education?

Q27. What deeper message does Jahnavi's decision to become a teacher carry?

Q28. How does the author use the setting (river and nature) to develop the theme of education and freedom in this story?

Q29. What is the significance of Jahnavi keeping Appu on her shoulder while sneaking into school?

Q30. Evaluate how the River's character challenges the conventional sources of wisdom and authority in the story.