An Alien Hand Class 7 Extra Questions and Answers Free PDF Download
FAQs on CBSE Important Questions for Class 7 English An Alien Hand - 2025-26
1. What types of important questions are typically asked from the CBSE Class 7 English chapter 'An Alien Hand' for the 2025-26 exams?
For the 2025-26 exams, important questions from 'An Alien Hand' usually cover three main areas:
- Short Answer Questions (1-2 marks): These focus on specific plot details, like 'What was Tilloo's father's job?' or 'What did the alien spacecraft look like?'.
- Character-based Questions (3 marks): These require analysing characters, for instance, 'Describe Tilloo's personality, highlighting his curiosity and disobedience.'
- Long Answer/HOTS Questions (5 marks): These explore the underlying themes and reasoning, such as 'Explain the security arrangements of the Martian colony and why they were necessary.'
2. Who was Tilloo, and what were his key character traits as shown in the story?
Tilloo was a young boy who lived with his parents in an underground colony on Mars. His most prominent character traits are his immense curiosity and his disobedient nature. He was fascinated by the surface and desperately wanted to know what his father did there. This curiosity led him to ignore his mother's warnings and follow the secret passage, showing a streak of adventurousness but also a lack of regard for rules.
3. Why were the inhabitants of Mars forced to live in underground homes in 'An Alien Hand'?
The inhabitants of Mars had to live in underground homes because the surface conditions were no longer suitable for life. A subtle change in the planet's environment had made the air too thin to breathe and the temperature too low to survive. They built their colony underground, where they could rely on technology and machinery to provide them with breathable air, suitable temperature, and water, ensuring their survival.
4. What was the 'alien hand', and what was its actual purpose in the story?
The 'alien hand' was not from a living alien but was a mechanical hand belonging to the Viking 1 space probe, which was sent from Earth. Its purpose was to collect soil samples from the Martian surface for analysis by scientists back on Earth. The inhabitants of the Martian colony mistook it for a part of a potentially hostile alien creature.
5. What is the central moral or theme explored in the story 'An Alien Hand'?
The central theme of 'An Alien Hand' is the conflict between curiosity and discipline. While Tilloo's curiosity is a natural and relatable trait, the story shows how unchecked curiosity can be dangerous, especially in a high-risk environment. It also explores the theme of survival and how communities establish strict rules to protect themselves. The story suggests that while curiosity drives discovery, it must be balanced with wisdom and an understanding of rules.
6. How can a student structure a 3-mark answer about Tilloo's father's job to get full marks?
To score full marks on a 3-mark question about Tilloo's father's job, your answer should be structured with three key points:
- Role and Responsibility: Start by stating that Tilloo's father was part of a team responsible for maintaining the essential life-support machinery on the planet's surface.
- Nature of the Work: Explain that his job was to ensure the machinery providing power, air, and heat to the underground colony was in working order.
- Special Permissions: Mention that due to the importance and location of his work, he was one of the few people permitted to go to the surface, which is why Tilloo was so curious about it.
7. Why did the Central Committee advise against any interference with the alien spacecraft?
The Central Committee, especially the President, advised a policy of passive observation and non-interference for several reasons. They did not have enough information about the spacecraft's origin or capabilities. Any aggressive action could provoke a powerful and unknown enemy. They believed it was wiser to remain hidden and simply watch, as they did not have the technology or resources to defend themselves against a potentially superior extraterrestrial force.
8. If you were Tilloo, would you have pressed the red button? Justify why this is considered a Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) question.
This is a HOTS question because it requires you to go beyond simple recall and use judgement, empathy, and reasoning based on the story's context. A good answer would involve:
- Taking a Stance: Clearly state whether you would or would not have pressed the button.
- Justification from the Text: If you would have pressed it, you might argue from Tilloo's perspective of immense curiosity and ignorance of the consequences. If not, you would argue from a position of caution, respecting the warnings and the unknown danger.
- Evaluating Consequences: Discuss the potential outcomes of the action, showing an understanding of the risks involved.
There is no single correct answer; the marks are for the quality and clarity of your justification.











