NCERT Solutions Class 7 English Unit 5 Bravehearts Chapter 15 Rani Abbakka (Graphic Biography)

Question. Solve the riddle given below and share your answer with your classmates and the teacher. She was a queen who led the fight, She fought for her country and her right. With a shining sword in her hand, Her son on her back in a cloth band Remembered as a warrior grand, She died defending her beloved Motherland. Who is she?
Answer: The person described in this riddle is Rani Lakshmibai, the Queen of Jhansi. She was a courageous warrior queen who rose up against British rule during the Indian Revolt of 1857.
In simple words: Rani Lakshmibai was a brave queen who fought to protect her kingdom from the British and is remembered as a great fighter.

Exam Tip: When answering riddle questions, identify key clues like "queen," "sword," and "fought for country" to narrow down the answer. The mention of "son on her back" is a specific historical detail about Rani Lakshmibai.

Question. Think of any other women warriors who made a significant contribution to India's struggle for Independence. Share your answers with your classmates and the teacher.
Answer: Several brave women played key roles in India's independence movement. Begum Hazrat Mahal opposed British soldiers during the 1857 uprising in Awadh. Sucheta Kriplani took part in the Quit India Movement and served as a major leader in the Indian National Congress. Rani Gaidinliu started a tribal uprising in Manipur against British control and endured imprisonment for her defiant actions.
In simple words: Other women freedom fighters like Begum Hazrat Mahal, Sucheta Kriplani, and Rani Gaidinliu fought against British rule in different parts of India.

Exam Tip: Always provide specific names, dates, and regions when listing women freedom fighters. This shows your knowledge of Indian history and adds credibility to your answer.

Vocabulary Matching Activity (Pages 213-214)

Question. Match the words in Column 1 with their meanings in Column 2. Share your answers with your classmates and the teacher.
Answer:

In simple words: These words help describe Rani Abbakka's bravery and the conflicts she faced. Learning what each word means helps us understand the story better.

Exam Tip: When matching vocabulary words to definitions, read through all options before matching. Look for keywords that match the word's root or sound.

Question. Complete the table given below based on your understanding of the story. An example has been done for you. Share your answers with your classmates and the teacher.
Answer:

In simple words: The table shows how each action taken by Rani Abbakka led to another event. Each cause led to a result that moved the story forward.

Exam Tip: When completing cause-and-effect tables, trace the chain of events carefully. Look for words like "because," "so," "as a result," and "due to" to spot cause-and-effect relationships.

Question 1. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. Portuguese envoy: Our Governor has sent me to remind you that the annual tribute from Ullal is long overdue and... Rani Abbakka: We are a sovereign country. We don't pay tribute to Portugal. And we don't take orders from the Portuguese! Portuguese envoy: Your Majesty, you will regret your stand. Abbakka ordered merchant ships to be built and in alliance with the Zamorin of Kozhikode, she defied the Portuguese and established a hugely profitable trading relation with Arabia. What does the word 'tribute' mean in this context?
Answer: In this context, 'tribute' refers to a payment that the Portuguese demanded from Ullal as proof of their control over the region and the kingdom's acceptance of their colonial rule.
In simple words: Tribute is money that the Portuguese wanted Ullal to pay to show that they were in charge.

Exam Tip: Context clues in a passage help you understand word meanings. Look for nearby words that explain what a term means.

Question 2. Complete the sentence with a suitable reason. Rani Abbakka says, "We are a sovereign country" because _____________.
Answer: She wanted to show that Ullal was free and independent, and did not need to follow or give money to the Portuguese rulers.
In simple words: Rani Abbakka meant that her kingdom ruled itself and didn't have to obey anyone else.

Exam Tip: When completing sentences, ensure your answer matches the tone and context of the original statement. Make sure it explains the character's thinking or motivation.

Question 3. Identify whether the following statement is true or false. The Portuguese envoy threatened Rani Abbakka.
Answer: True. The envoy said, "Your Majesty, you will regret your stand," which is a warning or threat meant to scare Rani Abbakka into paying the tribute.
In simple words: The envoy used a threat to try to make Rani Abbakka change her mind.

Exam Tip: For true/false questions, find the exact evidence in the text to support your answer. Always quote or paraphrase the relevant line.

Question 4. Choose a word given in brackets to replace the underlined word. "... she defied the Portuguese and established a hugely profitable trading relation with Arabia." (defeated/disobeyed)
Answer: The correct word is disobeyed. "Defied" means to refuse to obey or follow orders, which matches the meaning of "disobeyed" in this sentence.
In simple words: Rani Abbakka refused to follow the Portuguese rules, so "disobeyed" fits the meaning better than "defeated."

Exam Tip: When choosing synonyms, think about the exact meaning of the underlined word and pick the option that matches it best.

Question 5. Choose the option that lists the qualities of Rani Abbakka, based on this extract. (i) bold (ii) thoughtful (iii) capable (iv) generous (v) determined A. (i), (ii), and (v) B. (ii), (iii), and (iv) C. (i), (iii), and (v) D. (ii), (iv), and (v)
Answer: (c) (i), (iii), and (v) - bold, capable and determined
In simple words: Rani Abbakka shows courage by standing up to the Portuguese, skill by building merchant ships and trading, and firm will by refusing to back down.

Exam Tip: To identify character qualities, look for actions and dialogue that prove these traits. Bold - she speaks fearlessly; Capable - she builds ships and makes trade deals; Determined - she refuses to give up.

Question 1. Rani Abbakka spoke to her mother on her deathbed. How might these words have made her mother feel?
Answer: Rani Abbakka's words to her mother on her deathbed would have brought pride, comfort, and hope to her mother's heart. Her mother would have known that her daughter possessed the strength and bravery needed to guard their kingdom against enemies.
In simple words: Rani Abbakka's promise made her mother proud and at peace, knowing her kingdom would be protected by such a strong daughter.

Exam Tip: When answering questions about emotions, use adjectives that show feelings (proud, comforted, hopeful) and explain why the character would feel this way based on the situation.

Question 2. What does the support of the people of Ullal and the soldiers for Rani Abbakka suggest about their mindset?
Answer: The people and soldiers of Ullal showed courage, loyalty, and love for their homeland by standing with Rani Abbakka. Their willingness to fight alongside her revealed that they believed in freedom and were prepared to risk everything to resist Portuguese rule.
In simple words: The people and soldiers were brave and loved their kingdom so much that they were ready to fight for it.

Exam Tip: Support and unity among people tell us about their shared values. Look for actions that show bravery, loyalty, and patriotism in your answer.

Question 3. How might the people of Ullal have felt when the mighty Portuguese were defeated?
Answer: The people of Ullal would have experienced immense joy and pride when the powerful Portuguese were defeated. They would have celebrated their newfound freedom and held great admiration for Rani Abbakka's brave leadership and courage.
In simple words: The people were happy and proud because they won their freedom, and they looked up to Rani Abbakka as their hero.

Exam Tip: In questions asking about emotions after key events, describe the emotional response and connect it to what was achieved in the story.

Question 4. Why do you think Rani Abbakka's victory against the Portuguese would have inspired other rulers to go against a foreign power?
Answer: Rani Abbakka's victory showed that a foreign force, no matter how strong, could be defeated when there is unity and courage. This gave other rulers confidence and hope that they too could stand up for their kingdoms and fight for their freedom.
In simple words: Other rulers saw that the Portuguese could be beaten, so they became brave enough to fight against foreign powers too.

Exam Tip: When explaining historical significance, show how one event sparked a chain reaction. Use words like "inspired," "motivated," and "encouraged."

Language and Grammar Study (Pages 215-220)

Question. Study the following words taken from the text. seize, sovereign, their, soldiers. The spelling of the given words have 'ei' and 'ie' in them. Spelling tip: 'i' before 'e' except after 'c'. For example: receive, deceive. Now, fill in the blanks with 'ie' or 'ei' for the following words. 1. c___ling 2. bel___ve 3. th___f 4. ach___ve 5. perc___ve 6. prot___n 7. soc___ty 8. sh___ld 9. w___ght 10. fr___nd
Answer:
(1) ceiling - 'ei' (after c)
(2) believe - 'ie' (not after c)
(3) thief - 'ie' (not after c)
(4) achieve - 'ie' (not after c)
(5) perceive - 'ei' (after c)
(6) protein - 'ei' (not after c, but exception)
(7) society - 'ie' (not after c)
(8) shield - 'ie' (not after c)
(9) weight - 'ei' (not after c, but exception)
(10) friend - 'ie' (not after c)
In simple words: Remember the spelling rule: i comes before e unless it comes after the letter c. This helps you spell words with these letters correctly.

Exam Tip: The "i before e except after c" rule works for most words. However, some common words like "weight," "protein," and "their" are exceptions that you need to memorize.

Question. Study the highlighted word in the following sentence from the text. "...and Bangadi too may have to face their wrath." Was the initial letter 'w' pronounced? There are many words in the English language where certain letters are not pronounced but are spelt. They are called 'silent letters'. For example: campaign, knowledge, pneumonia, honour, calm. Now, find more words with silent letters.
Answer: Many English words contain silent letters that are written but not said aloud. Knife has a silent 'k' that we don't pronounce - we say "nife". The letter 'w' in wrist is silent too - we say "rist". Honest starts with a silent 'h' - we say "onest". Similarly, listen has a hidden 't', doubt hides a 'b', and castle has a silent 't'. You'll also find a silent 'p' in receipt, a silent 'b' in comb, a silent 'g' in gnome, and a silent 'b' in subtle.
In simple words: Silent letters are letters you write but don't say. In "knife" you don't say the 'k', in "write" you don't say the 'w', and in "honest" you don't say the 'h'.

Exam Tip: Learning common silent letters helps with spelling and pronunciation. Keep a list of words with silent letters and practice saying them correctly.

Question. Read the following expressions from the text. laughing stock, last laugh. Use the dictionary page given below to find the meanings of the following. burst out laughing, don't make me laugh, laugh until you cry, have a good laugh. Now, use these expressions in sentences of your own.
Answer:
Burst out laughing - This phrase means to suddenly start laughing hard and uncontrollably. Sentence: When my friend told the hilarious joke, I burst out laughing in the middle of class.

Don't make me laugh - This expression is used when you think what someone said is silly or hard to believe. Sentence: He said he could lift 200 pounds with one hand, and I said, "Don't make me laugh!"

Laugh until you cry - To laugh so long and hard that tears come to your eyes. Sentence: The comedy movie was so funny that we laughed until we cried in the theatre.

Have a good laugh - To find something amusing and enjoy it. Sentence: We had a good laugh when we remembered all our silly pranks from childhood.
In simple words: These phrases all use the word "laugh" but mean different things. Some describe how hard you laugh, while others describe your feelings about something funny.

Exam Tip: Idioms and expressions like these are best learned by seeing them used in different sentences. Try making your own sentences to remember them better.

Direct and Indirect Speech (Golden Grammar Tips)

Question. Rewrite the following sentences in direct speech to indirect speech. Remember to make the necessary changes. 1. The teacher said, "Women of valour have made significant contributions throughout history." 2. "I enjoy reading historical novels," said Smitha. 3. The captain said to the coach, "Our team won the championship last year." 4. The class teacher said, "Please turn off the lights when you leave." 5. "Finish the work before dinner," said mother to Ravi. 6. The vet said to the pet owner, "Take the dog for a walk."
Answer:
(1) The teacher remarked that women of valour had made significant contributions throughout history.
(2) Smitha shared that she enjoyed reading historical novels.
(3) The captain told the coach that their team had won the championship the previous year.
(4) The class teacher requested that the lights be turned off when they left.
(5) Mother advised Ravi to finish the work before dinner.
(6) The vet instructed the pet owner to take the dog for a walk.
In simple words: When you change direct speech (exact words) to indirect speech (reporting what was said), you need to change some words and take away the quotation marks. The meaning stays the same, but the way you say it changes.

Exam Tip: When converting to indirect speech, pay close attention to tense changes. Past tense becomes past perfect, present becomes past, and pronouns often change (I becomes he/she, you becomes he/she/they).

Question. Read the conversation between the Captain and the team. Captain: We need to focus on our strategy for the final match. Player: I have some ideas on how we can improve our strategy. Captain: Make sure to share those ideas with the team during practice. Complete the following paragraph by transforming the dialogue in the indirect form of speech. The Captain remarked that 1. _____________. To which one of the players replied that 2. _____________. The Captain advised the player to 3. _____________.
Answer: (1) they needed to focus on their strategy for the final match. (2) he had some ideas on how they could improve their strategy. (3) make sure to share those ideas with the team during practice.
In simple words: In indirect speech, we tell what people said without using their exact words. We change the pronouns and tenses to match the reporting structure.

Exam Tip: Always check for pronoun changes when converting dialogue to indirect speech. "We" becomes "they," "I" becomes "he/she," and so on.

Biographical Information Table (Pages 220-221)

Question. You will listen to the teacher speak about a braveheart. As you listen, complete the biotable given below. (Transcript for the teacher on pg. 224 of the textbook)
Answer:

In simple words: Rani Gaidinliu was a brave tribal leader from Manipur who fought for her people's freedom. Even though she was jailed, she is remembered as a hero.

Exam Tip: When filling in biographical tables, pay close attention to dates and numbers. These facts are often tested in examinations, so accuracy is important.

Question. Some of the words from the story 'Rani Abbakka' are given in the table below. Work in pairs and pronounce these words by referring to the notes given below. Emphasise the highlighted syllable. Remember, single syllable (monosyllabic) words do not have any stress.
Answer: Do it yourself.

Exam Tip: Correct pronunciation helps you communicate clearly and boosts your confidence when speaking English. Practice with a partner and listen to each other carefully.

Question. India's past was heroic, and at present, the pace of her development is inspiring. Women play a significant role in it. These women are around us, inspiring us all the time. With these thoughts, write a conversation between two students, Pratap and Tarana, discussing the role played by women in forming India's identity as a strong nation. You may begin like this: Pratap: Tarana, I have a lot of respect for women like... Tarana: I believe in the capabilities of women. Did you ...? Complete the conversation in about six to eight sentences for each of them and share your answers with your classmates and the teacher.
Answer:
Pratap: Tarana, I have a lot of respect for women like Rani Lakshmibai, Sarojini Naidu, and Kalpana Chawla. They have made meaningful contributions in many different fields. Tarana: I believe in the capabilities of women. Did you know that women took active roles in India's struggle for freedom and continue to shape our nation today? Pratap: Yes, absolutely! Besides freedom fighters, women such as Indira Gandhi and Kiran Bedi have played crucial roles in politics and running the government. Tarana: Exactly! Today, women are doing really well in science, sports, business, and even exploring space. Look at Mary Kom - she has brought honour to India in boxing. Pratap: And women like Dr. Tessy Thomas, known as the 'Missile Woman of India,' have added to India's defence systems and technology. Tarana: Yes! Women are showing that they are just as capable as men in any field. Their bravery and strong will help India become stronger every single day. Pratap: We need to back and support them so they can keep breaking down barriers and motivate the next generation. Tarana: Exactly! A nation can only be truly powerful when both men and women work side by side with fairness and honour.
In simple words: Women like Rani Lakshmibai, Kalpana Chawla, and many others have done great things in different areas of life. They help make India a stronger country.

Exam Tip: When writing conversations, use natural dialogue with varied sentence lengths. Include specific examples and facts to support each speaker's viewpoint and make the conversation engaging.

Question. In groups of five, find facts about any one brave woman who we remember because of her achievements and present in class. For example, Rani Chennamma of Kittur, Rani Durgavati, Ahilyabai Holkar, Jhalkari Bai, Captain Lakshmi Sahgal, Kanaklata Barua, Kalpana Chawla, or anyone else. Include the following in your presentation: 1. Childhood 2. Training / Education 3. Achievements 4. Contributions 5. What you have learnt from her.
Answer:
Brave Woman: Kalpana Chawla

1. Childhood: Kalpana Chawla arrived in the world on March 17, 1962, in Karnal, Haryana. From her early years, she was drawn to aircraft and space exploration. She would gaze up at the sky and imagine herself flying.

2. Training / Education: Kalpana studied engineering and completed a degree in aeronautical engineering from Punjab Engineering College. Later, she relocated to the United States to further her studies and earned both a master's degree and a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering.

3. Achievements: She became the first woman of Indian origin to travel to space. In 1997, she flew on her first space mission aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia. She travelled to space once more in 2003, though sadly, the shuttle broke apart when coming back to Earth, and she and her crew lost their lives.

4. Contributions: Kalpana Chawla demonstrated that with hard work and unwavering determination, anyone can fulfil their dreams. She encouraged countless young girls to choose careers in science, technology, and space study.

5. What I have learnt from her: Kalpana Chawla's life shows us the importance of aiming high, putting in hard work, and never giving up on our goals. She showed us that no dream is unreachable if we are ready to work hard and stay committed. Her bravery and love for space keep inspiring people around the world.
In simple words: Kalpana Chawla was an astronaut who worked very hard to achieve her dream of going to space. She teaches us to never stop trying for our goals.

Exam Tip: When presenting biographical information, organize your facts in a logical order - childhood, education, achievements, and impact. Use specific dates and details to make your presentation credible and interesting.