NCERT Solutions for Class 7 English Poorvi Unit 1 Chapter 2
NCERT solutions for Class 7 English Chapter Try Again – complete answers & explanations
This blog provides accurate and complete NCERT solutions for the poem "Try Again" by Eliza Cook, based entirely on the provided worksheet from the Class 7 English textbook. The poem tells the inspiring story of King Bruce of Scotland, who was on the verge of giving up after repeated failures until he observed a tiny spider's persistent efforts to reach its web. This lesson teaches students the value of perseverance, grit, and the importance of rising after every fall. These solutions follow the exact order of the worksheet to support students in their learning and exam preparation.
What this NCERT chapter covers?
1. The narrative story of King Bruce of Scotland and his initial state of despair after failing to achieve a "great deed" for his people.
2. The observation of a spider attempting to climb to the ceiling dome to reach its cobweb home.
3. The counting of the spider's nine brave attempts before it finally succeeded on its tenth try.
4. The transformation of King Bruce's attitude from "low despair" to inspired "bravery" and renewed determination.
5. Literary devices such as alliteration (repetition of consonant sounds) and metaphors (comparing the spider's struggle to human struggle).
6. Rhyme schemes and the use of archaic contractions like 'tis and 'twas for poetic rhythm.
How to use these NCERT solutions?
1. Read the poem "Try Again" carefully to understand the story of King Bruce and the spider.
2. Attempt the summary and comprehension questions in the "Let us discuss" section independently first.
3. Use this answer key to verify your responses and understand the poetic devices like similes and metaphors.
4. Follow the step-by-step transformations in the grammar section to master the difference between similes and metaphors.
Important tips & tricks for students
1. When identifying the central idea, remember the phrase "conquered despair" as it summarizes King Bruce’s final victory.
2. Pay close attention to the repetition of words like "tried and tried" or "steadily, steadily," which are used by the poet to emphasize persistence and the passage of time.
3. For grammar exercises, remember that a simile uses "like" or "as" for comparison, while a metaphor states that one thing is another.
4. Use the "Bravo!" interjection example to learn how strong emotions are expressed in English poetry.
NCERT solutions – complete answer key
Let us do these activities before we read
I Who inspires you to do your best?
Answers may vary.
II Work in pairs, identify what you see in the pictures given below. What can we learn from them?
Explanation: This activity involves looking at introductory images in the worksheet (such as a seedling growing through a crack or an athlete training). We learn that persistence and hard work lead to success despite obstacles.
Let us discuss
I Complete the summary of the poem by filling in the blanks with suitable words from the text.
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. tried 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. mounted (or "tried" / "succeeded") this time, he ultimately succeeded.
II Complete the following sentences suitably.
1. We can say that the poet uses the narrative style because the poem tells a story with characters (King Bruce and the spider) and a sequence of events.
2. The central idea of the poem is perseverance and the importance of never giving up, no matter how many times one fails.
III Pick three examples from the poem for each of the following:
1. Lines that describe the spider’s efforts:
• "It soon began to cling and crawl / Straight up with strong endeavour"
• "Up, up it ran, not a second to stay"
• "Again it fell and swung below, / But again it quickly mounted"
2. Alliteration:
• "cling and crawl"
• "slippery sprawl"
• "delicate thread it had to tread"
IV Why does the poet repeat the following words or phrases in the poem?
The poet repeats "tried and tried," "steadily, steadily," and "up, up" to emphasize the continuous, slow, and hard-working nature of the efforts required to succeed.
V Fill in the blanks by choosing the correct answer from within the brackets.
1. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABAB.
2. ‘Bravo’ is an example of interjection.
3. The poet uses ‘twas and ‘tis for the sake of rhythm.
VI 1. Identify metaphors and similes.
(i) He ran as fast as a cheetah. (S)
(ii) The world is a stage. (M)
(iii) The night was as dark as coal. (S)
(iv) He sang like an angel. (S)
(v) Her voice was music to his ears. (M)
(vi) The classroom was a zoo. (M)
(vii) The baby slept like a log. (S)
(viii) Her smile was as bright as the sun. (S)
(ix) The lake was a mirror, reflecting the sky. (M)
2. Transform the similes to metaphors and metaphors to similes.
(iii) Simile: The book was like a treasure chest, filled with endless adventures.
(iv) Simile: Her laughter was like a melody that brightened the darkest days.
(v) Metaphor: The mountain was a guard, watching over the valley below.
(vi) Metaphor: The night was a velvet cloak, wrapping the world in mystery.
(vii) Metaphor: Her thoughts were butterflies in a summer meadow.
Let us think and reflect
I Read the extracts and answer the questions.
1. (i) Select the phrase which shows the physical expression of the King’s emotional state: "flung himself down".
(ii) Why does the poet use the word ‘low’ before despair? To emphasize the depth and intensity of the King's sadness and hopelessness.
(iii) In the line, ‘And after a while he pondered there’, the word ‘pondered’ means: B. thought.
(iv) The phrase ‘silken filmy clue’ creates an image of something that is: very delicate and soft.
2. (i) Choose the correct option to complete the analogy: toil: hard:: A. roll: tumble.
(ii) List any two characteristics of the spider highlighted in the line, ‘But up the insect went once more’: Persistence and determination.
(iii) The expression ‘Ah me!’ in the extract indicates a sense of: B. stress (anxiety).
(iv) Complete the sentence with an appropriate reason: Readers are able to relate to this extract because it captures the universal feeling of suspense and hope when watching someone strive for a difficult goal.
II Answer the following questions.
1. How does the first stanza help in setting the mood of the poem? The first stanza sets a gloomy and defeated mood by describing the King "in a lonely mood" with a "heart beginning to sink."
2. Describe how King Bruce’s attitude changes from the beginning towards the end of the poem. At the beginning, he is in "low despair" and ready to "give it all up." By the end, inspired by the spider, he "braced his mind," "defied despair," and tried again until he succeeded.
Why NCERT solutions help students?
NCERT solutions are essential for students as they provide a clear and structured way to analyze literature and improve language proficiency. For the poem "Try Again," these solutions help students deconstruct the narrative to find deeper meanings and master literary devices like metaphors. Following these worksheet-aligned answers ensures that students develop the confidence to express their thoughts clearly in exams while internalizing the poem's valuable life lessons.
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