Expert Detectives – Class 7 English NCERT Solutions

Explore the solutions for “Expert Detectives,” Class 7 English NCERT. This story teaches children about the dangers of judging people without evidence and making hasty assumptions. It also shows how kindness and understanding can help us see beyond appearances. The story contrasts two perspectives – Maya’s suspicious nature and Nishad’s compassionate approach – helping students learn the importance of empathy and not jumping to conclusions.

Summary (English)

“Expert Detectives” is a story about two siblings, Maya and Nishad (nicknamed Seven), who become curious about their neighbor, Mr. Nath. Maya suspects Mr. Nath of being a criminal in hiding due to his secluded lifestyle and mysterious appearance. However, Nishad believes Mr. Nath is just a lonely, possibly ill person. The story shows their different approaches to understanding Mr. Nath – Maya collecting “evidence” to prove he’s a criminal, while Nishad shows kindness by giving him chocolate and trying to understand his situation.

सारांश (Hindi)

“एक्सपर्ट डिटेक्टिव्स” दो भाई-बहनों, माया और निषाद (जिसे सेवन बुलाया जाता है) की कहानी है। वे अपने पड़ोसी मिस्टर नाथ के बारे में उत्सुक हो जाते हैं। माया को शक है कि मिस्टर नाथ एक भगोड़ा अपराधी हैं क्योंकि वे अकेले रहते हैं और उनकी दिखावट रहस्यमयी है। लेकिन निषाद का मानना है कि मिस्टर नाथ बस एक अकेले और शायद बीमार व्यक्ति हैं। कहानी दिखाती है कि कैसे दोनों भाई-बहन मिस्टर नाथ को समझने के लिए अलग-अलग तरीके अपनाते हैं – माया उन्हें अपराधी साबित करने के लिए “सबूत” इकट्ठा करती है, जबकि निषाद उन्हें चॉकलेट देकर और उनकी स्थिति को समझने की कोशिश करके दयालुता दिखाता है।

Word Meanings

Comprehension Check

1. What did Nishad give Mr Nath? Why?

Nishad gave Mr Nath a bar of chocolate. He did this out of concern and kindness because he noticed how thin and gaunt Mr Nath looked. Nishad believed Mr Nath wasn’t eating properly and might be starving, so he wanted to help in his own small way by offering him something to eat.

2. What is “strange” about Mr Nath’s Sundays?

The strange thing about Mr Nath’s Sundays was his regular visitor. Every Sunday, the same person – described as tall, fair, stout, and wearing spectacles – would visit Mr Nath, and they would have lunch together. This was unusual because Mr Nath didn’t receive any other visitors during the rest of the week, making these Sunday meetings particularly noteworthy.

3. Why did Nishad and Maya get a holiday?

Nishad and Maya got an unexpected holiday due to severe monsoon weather. The city experienced heavy rainfall with thunder and lightning, which caused flooding in the streets. The flooding made it impossible for traffic to move through the roads, forcing schools to declare an unexpected holiday just when they were supposed to reopen after summer vacation.

Working with the Text

1. What does Nishad find out about Mr Nath from Ramesh? Arrange the information as suggested below.

Nishad’s conversation with Ramesh revealed several interesting details about Mr Nath’s daily routine:

• Eating Habits: Mr Nath is not particular about his food. His meals are simple and consistent – two chapatis, dal, and a vegetable.
• Meal Timing: He takes two meals daily – one in the morning and one in the evening.
• Drinking Habits: He has two cups of tea daily – one in the morning and another in the afternoon.
• Payment Style: Mr Nath always pays in cash and is known for being a generous tipper, despite his simple lifestyle.

2. Why does Maya think Mr Nath is a crook? Who does she say the Sunday visitor is?

Maya suspects Mr Nath of being a crook based on several observations:

• He has lived in Shankar House for over a year but hasn’t made any friends
• He maintains a mysterious and isolated lifestyle
• He doesn’t work anywhere but can still afford to pay for his meals
• He rarely talks to anyone and appears unfriendly
• He doesn’t receive any letters or regular visitors

Maya believes the Sunday visitor is Mr Nath’s accomplice in crime. She theorizes that this person keeps all their stolen wealth and visits Mr Nath weekly to give him his share of money for expenses.

3. Does Nishad agree with Maya about Mr Nath? How does he feel about him?

No, Nishad completely disagrees with Maya’s theory about Mr Nath. His perspective is more compassionate and understanding:

• He sees Mr Nath as a lonely person who might be going through difficult times
• He feels concerned about Mr Nath’s thin appearance and worries that he might be starving
• He appreciates that Mr Nath gives generous tips to Ramesh despite possibly having limited means
• He wants to understand why Mr Nath is lonely and help him make friends
• He believes that people should try to befriend Mr Nath instead of judging him

Working with Language

1. The word ‘tip’ has only three letters but many meanings. Match the word with its meanings below.

2. Fill in the blanks with helper, companion, partner, or accomplice.

Here are the most appropriate words for each context:

1. business partner
2. my companion on the journey
3. I’m mother’s little helper
4. a faithful companion such as a dog
5. the thief’s accomplice
6. find a good helper
7. tennis/golf/bridge partner
8. his accomplice in his criminal activities

3. Match uses of word ‘break’ with meanings and find additional uses.

Additional uses of ‘break’:

• break a record (surpass a previous achievement)
• take a break (pause from work)
• break into tears (start crying suddenly)

Speaking

Play detectives with each other

Here’s how you should conduct this activity with your classmate:

1. First, politely ask permission to interview them
2. Explain that this is a class activity
3. Ask the following questions respectfully:

• What is your name and what do you prefer to be called?
• Which newspapers or magazines do you enjoy reading?
• How many years have you lived at your current home?
• Could you tell me about your typical daily routine?
• What do your friends usually say about you?
• Who visits you often, and what are your favorite foods?
• What’s your overall impression of the person?

Remember to:

• Be respectful and polite while asking questions
• Don’t force anyone to answer if they’re uncomfortable
• Take turns being the interviewer and interviewee
• Make notes of the answers if needed
• Thank the person for their time

Writing

1. Who do you think Mr Nath is? Write a paragraph or two about him.

Based on the story, I believe Mr Nath is simply a misunderstood person who is probably going through some personal difficulties. He appears to be someone who values privacy and simplicity in life. The burn scars on his face suggest he might have survived a traumatic accident, which could explain his reserved nature. His simple eating habits, polite behavior with the doctor, and generous tipping despite limited means indicate he is a decent person who has possibly chosen solitude for personal reasons.

The Sunday visitor could be a family member or an old friend who ensures Mr Nath’s well-being. The fact that Mr Nath maintains a routine, pays his bills promptly, and keeps to himself suggests he might be recovering from something – either physically or emotionally. His thin appearance might be due to health issues rather than poverty, which is why he consults Nishad’s mother, who is a doctor.

2. What else do you think Nishad and Maya will find out about him? How? Will they ever be friends? Write a paragraph or two to continue the story.

I think Nishad’s kind approach will eventually help them discover more about Mr Nath. They might learn that he is a writer or artist who works from home, explaining why he stays in his room all day. Through Nishad’s persistent friendliness and small gestures like giving him chocolate, Mr Nath might gradually open up about his past – perhaps sharing stories about the accident that left him scarred, or why he chose a life of solitude.

Maya’s suspicions will likely fade as they discover Mr Nath’s true story. The Sunday visitor might turn out to be his brother who couldn’t offer him a home but ensures his well-being through regular visits. Eventually, I believe Nishad’s compassionate nature will help build a bridge of friendship with Mr Nath. Maya too will learn a valuable lesson about not judging people based on appearances and rumors. Their friendship might even help Mr Nath become more social and trust people again.

3. Conducting a Survey

Follow these steps to conduct an effective survey about what makes a home:

Step I: Preparation

• Form small groups of 4-5 students
• Discuss what questions to ask about homes
• Create a simple questionnaire with yes/no options
• Decide how many people you will survey

Step II: Data Collection

• Approach people politely in school or your locality
• Explain the purpose of your survey
• Ask questions and note responses with tick marks
• Thank each person for their time

Step III: Analysis

• Count responses for each question
• Calculate how many people felt secure at home
• Note how many had different opinions
• Discuss unusual or interesting responses

Step IV: Presentation

Present your findings using phrases like:

• “Most people believe that…”
• “Only a few people think that…”
• “Almost everyone agrees that…”
• “Surprisingly, we found that…”

Remember to:

• Be respectful when asking questions
• Keep responses confidential
• Present data honestly
• Thank everyone who participated