Class 7 CBSE NCERT English - Chapter 1: "Three Questions" (Honeycomb)
I. Reading Comprehension / Text-Based Questions
A. Very Short Answer Questions (VSA - 1 mark each)
What three questions did the king want answers to?
Ans:
The king wanted to know: a) the right time to begin everything, b) the most important people to listen to, and c) the most important thing to do.
Why did the king send messengers throughout his kingdom?
Ans:
He sent messengers to announce a reward for anyone who could answer his three questions.
Where did the hermit live?
Ans:
The hermit lived in a wood which he never left.
Whom did the hermit only receive?
Ans:
The hermit only received common people.
Who wounded the bearded man?
Ans:
The king's bodyguards wounded the bearded man.
B. Short Answer Questions (SA - 2-3 marks each, 30-40 words)
Why was the king not satisfied with the answers given by the learned men to his first question?
Ans:
Regarding the first question, the learned men gave varied and often contradictory answers. Some suggested a timetable, others said it was impossible to decide in advance. This left the king feeling that no single answer was definitive or practical, leading to his dissatisfaction.
How did the king approach the hermit?
Ans:
To meet the hermit, the king dressed in simple, common clothes. He left his horse and bodyguards some distance away from the hermit's dwelling and proceeded alone on foot to show humility and respect for the hermit's way of life.
What was the first task the king performed when he reached the hermit's hut?
Ans:
When the king reached the hermit's hut, he found the old hermit digging beds in front of his hut. Seeing the hermit tired, the king offered to help him and took the spade to dig the beds himself.
Describe the condition of the bearded man when he arrived.
Ans:
The bearded man came running out of the wood, pressing his hands against his stomach from which blood was flowing. He fainted
on reaching the king and the hermit, indicating a severe injury and loss of blood.
Why had the bearded man sworn revenge on the king?
Ans:
The bearded man had sworn revenge because the king had put his brother to death and had seized his property. He was the king's enemy and had come to kill him.
C. Long Answer Questions (LA - 4-5 marks each, 80-100 words)
Explain how the king spent his time helping the hermit on the first day.
Ans:
When the king arrived, he found the old and weak hermit digging in the garden. The king offered his help and took the spade from the hermit. He dug two beds for him before stopping and repeating his questions. When the hermit still didn't answer, the king continued to dig for a significant part of the evening, until sunset, before giving the spade back and again asking his questions. His persistence showed his earnest desire for answers.
How did the king and the hermit help the wounded bearded man?
Ans:
The king and the hermit immediately attended to the wounded bearded man. The king quickly removed the man's clothing and found a large wound in his stomach. The king washed the wound and bandaged it repeatedly with his handkerchief and the hermit's towel until the bleeding stopped. They then carried the unconscious man into the hut, where he lay quietly. The king also provided water.
What was the hermit's final advice to the king regarding his three questions?
Ans:
The hermit explained to the king that he had already been answered through his actions. He said the most important time is 'now' because it is the only
time
we have any power to act. The most important person is the one you are with at a particular moment, as no one knows if they will meet anyone else again. And the most important business is to do that person good, as that alone is why we were sent into this life.
How did the king reconcile with his enemy, the bearded man? What did the bearded man promise?
Ans:
The bearded man woke up and recognized the king. He confessed that he was the king's enemy, who had sworn revenge because the king had executed his brother and seized his property. He had intended to kill the king. However, seeing the king's kindness in nursing his wound and saving his life, he repented. He begged for forgiveness and promised to serve the king as his most faithful servant and command his sons to do the same. The king was delighted to have made peace with his enemy so easily and not only
forgave him but also promised to restore his property and send his own servants and doctor to look after him.
II. Vocabulary-Based Questions
A. Fill in the Blanks (with words from the chapter)
The king was convinced that to be truly successful, he needed to know the answer to his _________ questions.
Ans:
three
Many learned men came to the court, but their answers were all very _________.
Ans:
different
The hermit was known for his _________ and wisdom.
Ans:
simplicity
The king washed the wounded man's and _________ it repeatedly.
Ans:
bandaged
The king was delighted to have made peace with his _________ so easily.
Ans:
enemy
B. Find words from the text that mean the same as:
A group of people chosen to give advice or make rules.
Ans:
Council
Matters; business.
Ans:
Affairs
Strong desire for revenge.
Ans:
Vengeance
To forgive someone.
Ans:
Pardon
Very serious and deep.
Ans:
Grave (as in 'grave wound')
C. Match the words in Column A with their antonyms in Column B:
|
Column A |
Column B |
|
Wise |
Foolish |
|
Friend |
Enemy |
|
Begin |
End |
|
Received |
Refused |
|
Strong |
Weak |
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III. Grammar-Based Questions (Contextual from the Chapter)
A. Identify and correct the error in the following sentences:
The king
want
to know the answers.
Ans:
The king
wanted
to know the answers.
The hermit
live
in a wood.
Ans:
The hermit
lived
in a wood.
He came running out of the wood, pressing his hand against his stomach.
Ans:
He came running out of the wood, pressing his
hands
against his stomach.
The king was happy to made peace with him.
Ans:
The king was happy to
make
peace with him.
The most important person is the one you are with at this moment.
Ans:
The most important person is the one you are with
at the present moment
. (Slight refinement for precision as per the text's emphasis)
B. Change the voice (Active to Passive or vice-versa):
The king announced a large reward. (Change to Passive)
Ans:
A large reward was announced by the king.
The king bandaged the wound. (Change to Passive)
Ans:
The wound was bandaged by the king.
The hermit was digging the beds. (Change to Passive)
Ans:
The beds were being dug by the hermit.
The bearded man begged for forgiveness. (Change to Passive - difficult for intransitive verb 'begged' in this context; rephrase if possible, or state not possible)
Ans:
(Not easily changed to passive voice as 'begged' is an intransitive verb here. If you want to force it, something like "Forgiveness was begged for by the bearded man," but it sounds awkward and is generally avoided.)
The bodyguards wounded the man. (Change to Passive)
Ans:
The man was wounded by the bodyguards.
IV. Thinking & Discussion Questions (HOTS - Higher Order Thinking Skills)
Do you think the king was truly humble when he went to meet the hermit? Give reasons for your answer.
Ans:
Yes, the king displayed true humility. He shed his royal robes,
traveled
as a common man, left his bodyguards behind, and even offered to do manual
labor
(digging) for the hermit. These actions show a genuine willingness to set aside his status and learn, rather than just demanding answers.
If you were the king, which of the three questions would you consider most important and why?
Ans:
(Open to personal interpretation, but an example answer could be): I would consider "What is the most important thing to do?" as the most important. Knowing the right time and people helps, but ultimately, applying that knowledge to do good (the 'most important thing') determines the outcome of your actions and life. It focuses on purpose and positive impact.
How does the story emphasize the importance of living in the present moment?
Ans:
The story powerfully emphasizes living in the present. The hermit's final answer, "the most important time is now," highlights that only the present moment gives us the power to act. The king's immediate actions of helping the hermit and then nursing the wounded man in the 'now' led to positive outcomes, demonstrating that focusing on the current moment and the people in it is key to a meaningful life.
What character traits of the king are revealed through his actions in the story?
Ans:
The king shows several positive traits:
earnestness
(in seeking answers),
humility
(in approaching the hermit),
perseverance
(in digging and waiting),
kindness
and
compassion
(in nursing the wounded man),
forgiveness
(towards his enemy), and ultimately,
wisdom
(in understanding the hermit's final lessons).
V. Creative Writing / Extension Activities
Imagine you are the hermit. Write a short diary entry describing your thoughts and feelings after the king's visit.
Ans:
(Example)
Date: [Day after King's visit]
Today was unusual. A king came to my simple dwelling, disguised as a common man. His questions, though ancient, were profound. He sought answers to guide his reign. I chose
not to give direct answers, but to let his own actions reveal the truth. He dug for me, he saved his enemy – in these acts, he found his own wisdom. My purpose is to guide, not to dictate. He has learned that "now" is all we truly have, and compassion is the greatest duty. My solitude feels a little richer tonight, knowing a king has found his path.
If the king had not gone to the hermit, what do you think might have happened to the bearded man?
Ans:
(Example)
If the king had not gone to the hermit, the bearded man would likely have succeeded in his ambush. He had intended to kill the king on his way back. Without the king's presence, the king's bodyguards would have been waiting, but the bearded man might have found an opportunity to attack the king first, or the king might not have returned safely. The man's wound would have gone untreated, and he likely would have bled to death. The reconciliation and forgiveness would certainly not have happened.
