Class 7 English Chapter 2 NCERT Solutions – Try Again

Try Again Question Answer – Let us do these Activities before we read. (Page 16)

I. Who inspires you to do your best?

Answer: My parents inspire me to do my best.

II. Work in pairs, identify what you see in the pictures given below. What can we learn from them? Share your answers with your classmates and the teacher.

Image 1: This image shows a beehive hanging from a tree branch, with bees actively working around it. Bees teach us to work hard, stay focused, and never give up. They also show teamwork, as they build the hive and collect nectar together.

Image 2: The image of a spider sitting on its web symbolises patience and perseverance. A spider teaches us to keep trying even after failure, because it rebuilds its web again and again.

Image 3: A flock of birds flying in the sky teaches us teamwork, unity, and cooperation. Birds support each other while flying long distances, reminding us that we can achieve more when we work together.

Image 4: A bird building its nest teaches us patience, dedication, and care. It collects small twigs and works steadily to make a safe home, reminding us that success comes from small, consistent efforts.

Image 5: The colony of ants teaches us discipline, collaboration, and hard work. Even though ants are small, they achieve great things by working together and helping one another.

Image 6: The apple tree teaches us patience, growth, and the importance of nurturing. A tree takes time to bear fruit, reminding us that with steady care and effort, good results will eventually come.

Try Again Class 7 Question Answer – Let us discuss (Pages 19-21)

I. Complete the summary of the poem by filling in the blanks with suitable words from the text given in the box below. Share your answers with the teacher.

The poem, written in a narrative style, tells the story of King Bruce of Scotland, who was feeling 1. _____________ after failing multiple times to achieve something 2. _____________ for his people. In a moment of 3. _____________, he observed a spider trying to reach its web high above. The spider 4. _____________ every time it fell after getting close to its goal. It made nine 5. _____________ and fially succeeded. The king said that the spider had 6. _____________ and so would he. Inspired by the spider’s determination, King Bruce decided to 7. _____________. When he 8. _____________ this time, he ultimately succeeded.

Answer: 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. mounted 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. tried this time, he ultimately succeeded.

II. Complete the following sentences suitably.

1. We can say that the poet uses the narrative style because ________.

Answer: We can say that the poet uses a narrative style because the poem tells a story about King Bruce and the spider, describing the events in a clear and sequential manner.

2. The central idea of the poem is ________.

Answer: The central idea of the poem is perseverance and determination—the message that we should never give up, even after repeated failures. This is shown through the spider’s continuous efforts to rebuild its web and King Bruce’s realisation that success comes to those who keep trying.

III. Pick three examples from the poem for each of the following:

Question 1. lines that describe the spider’s efforts

Answer: Following are three lines from the poem that describe the spider’s efforts:

(a) “It soon began to cling and crawl,
Straight up with strong endeavour.”
— This shows the spider’s determination to climb with full effort.

(b) “Again it fell and swung below,
But again it quickly mounted.”
— This highlights how the spider kept trying again, even after falling.

(c) “Steadily, steadily, inch by inch,
Higher and higher.”
— This describes the spider’s slow but persistent progress toward its web.

Question 2. Alliteration (the repetition of the same consonant sounds at the beginning of closely connected words)

Answer:  Examples of Alliteration from the Poem

(a) “Fast, now slow”
— Alliteration occurs through the repeated ‘s’ sound in slow (the pair also creates contrast, but only “slow” shows alliteration). A better example from the poem would show repeated consonants clearly.

(b) “Bravo, bravo!”
— This is a clear example of alliteration because of the repeated ‘b’ sound.

(c) “Foolish thing will strive”
— Alliteration appears in the repeated ‘f’ sound in foolish and f in “foolish thing.”
There is also the repeated ‘s’ sound in strive.

IV. Why does the poet repeat the following words or phrases in the poem?

tried and tried; steadily, steadily; up, up.

Answer: The poet repeats the words and phrases “tried and tried,” “steadily, steadily,” and “up, up” to emphasise persistence, determination, and continuous effort. This repetition strengthens the message of the poem and highlights the importance of never giving up, even after repeated failures.

V. Fill in the blanks by choosing the correct answer from within the brackets.
1. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ____________. (AABB/ABBA/ABAB)
2. ‘Bravo’ is an example of ____________. (conjunction/interjection/adjective)
3. The poet uses ‘twas and ‘tis for the sake of ____________. (rhythm/rhyme/contraction)

Answer:
1. The rhyme scheme of the poem is AABB. (AABB / ABBA/ ABAB)
2. ‘Bravo’ is an example of interjection. (conjunction/interjection/ adjective)
3. The poet uses ‘twas and ‘tis for the sake of contraction, (rhythm / rhyme / contraction)

VI. The spider’s climbing is compared to King Bruce’s own struggles. Just as the spider repeatedly attempts to reach its web, Bruce is trying to achieve a great deed for his people. This poetic device is called metaphor. It strengthens the poem’s message about perseverance—keep trying till we succeed.

A metaphor is a fiure of speech that involves an implied comparison between two unlike things without using ‘like’, ‘as’, or ‘as…as’. It suggests that one thing is another, highlighting similarities between them to add deeper meaning or understanding.

Question 1. Read the following sentences and identify metaphors and similes.
Write M for metaphor and S for simile.

Answer:

Question 2. Read the following sentences and transform the similes to metaphors and metaphors to similes. Two examples have been given.

(i) Knowledge spreads like the branches of a mighty tree.
Knowledge is a spreading branch of a mighty tree.

(ii) His courage was a beacon, guiding us through the storm.

• His courage was as bright as a beacon guiding us through the storm.

• His courage was like a beacon guiding us through the storm.

(iii) The book was a treasure chest, filed with endless adventures.

Answer: The book was like a treasure chest, filled with endless adventures.

(iv) Her laughter was a melody that brightened the darkest days.

Answer: Her laughter was like a melody that brightened even the darkest days.

(v) The mountain stood as a guard, watching over the valley below.

Answer: The mountain was a mighty guard, watching over the valley below.

(vi) The night was like a velvet cloak, wrapping the world in mystery.

Answer: The night was a velvet cloak, wrapping the world in mystery.

(vii) Her thoughts were like butterfles in a summer meadow.

Answer: Her thoughts were butterflies, fluttering in a summer meadow.

Question 1. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
1. He flung himself down in low despair,
As grieved as man could be;
And after a while he pondered there,
“I’ll give it all up, ” said he.
Now just at that moment a spider dropped,
With its silken, filmy clue;

(i) Select the phrase which shows the physical expression of the King’s emotional state.

Answer: The phrase that shows the physical expression of the King’s emotional state is:

“He flung himself down in low despair.”

(ii) Why does the poet use the word ‘low’ before despair?

Answer: The poet uses the word “low” before “despair” to emphasise the depth of King Bruce’s sadness and hopelessness. It shows that he was not just discouraged, but had reached a deep emotional low—almost at the point of giving up completely.

(iii) Choose the correct option to complete the sentence.

In the line, ‘And after a while he pondered there’, the word ‘pondered’ means ________.
A. paused
B. thought
C. noticed
D. rested

Answer: B. thought.

(iv) Choose the correct option from the words given in the brackets.
The phrase ‘silken filmy clue’ creates an image of something that is ________ (long and light/very delicate and soft).

Answer: very delicate and soft.

Question 2. when it toils so hard to reach and cling, And tumbles every time”
But up the insect went once more,
Ah me! ‘tis an anxious minute;
He’s only a foot from his cobweb door,
Oh say, will he lose or win it?

(i) Choose the correct option to complete the analogy.
toil: hard :: ________ : ________.
A. roll: tumble
B. tumble: circle
C. compress: roll
D. jump: tumble

Answer: A. roll: tumble.

(ii) List any two characteristics of the spider highlighted in the line, ‘But up the insect went once more’.

Answer: Two characteristics of the spider highlighted in the line “But up the insect went once more” are:

1. Perseverance – The spider does not give up despite repeatedly falling; it keeps trying again and again.

2. Determination – It remains committed to its goal and continues climbing even in the face of difficulties.

(iii) Choose the correct option to complete the sentence.
The expression ‘Ah me!’ in the extract indicates a sense of ________.

A. happiness
B. stress
C. relief
D. loneliness

Answer: B. stress.

(iv) Complete the sentence with an appropriate reason.

Readers are able to relate to this extract because .

Answer: It reflects real-life struggles, where people may face failures but must keep trying with perseverance and determination in order to achieve success.

II. Answer the following questions.

Question 1. How does the first stanza help in setting the mood of the poem?

Answer: This stanza helps set the mood of the poem by preparing the reader for the king’s journey of struggle and eventual determination. It creates a sense of sadness and disappointment, showing how discouraged the king feels at first, which makes his later change in attitude more meaningful.

Question 2. Describe how King Bruce’s attitude changes from the beginning towards the end of the poem.

Answer: At the beginning of the poem, King Bruce feels defeated, hopeless, and discouraged. Even though he is a king, he is deeply troubled because he has tried many times to achieve something important for his people but has failed again and again. These repeated failures leave him feeling lonely, sad, and full of despair. 

At his lowest point, he even considers giving up.

However, when he observes the spider, his mindset begins to change. He watches the spider struggle but refuse to quit, making nine attempts before finally succeeding. Initially, the king doubts the spider and thinks it will surely give up. But when the spider keeps climbing and finally reaches its goal, the king feels a shift within himself. He becomes inspired and motivated, realising that persistence leads to success.

By the end of the poem, King Bruce regains his courage and determination. He decides to try once more—and this time, he succeeds.

Question 3. The poet describes every action of the spider in great detail. What does this tell us about his attitude towards the spider?

Answer: The poet’s detailed description of every action of the spider shows his deep admiration, curiosity, and respect for its perseverance and determination. Instead of dismissing the tiny creature, the poet carefully observes its struggles and repeated attempts to climb back to its web. This close attention reveals how much he values the spider’s courage and persistence.

Question 4. How does the spider inspire us to overcome despair and not give up?

Answer: The spider’s actions teach us that failure is not the end, but a step toward success, and that we must stay determined, work hard, and never give up in life.

Question 5. The poem teaches us that failures are stepping stones to success. Explain.

Answer: The poem shows that failures lead to success by illustrating how both the spider and King Bruce struggle multiple times but finally succeed through persistence. It teaches us that real victory belongs to those who refuse to give up.

Question 6. The spider’s journey tells us that anyone can be a source of inspiration in our lives. Elaborate.

Answer: The spider’s journey in the poem teaches us that inspiration can come from anyone or anything, no matter how small.

1. Inspiration comes from unexpected places – King Bruce, a powerful ruler, feels hopeless, yet he learns an important lesson from a tiny spider.

2. Actions speak louder than words – The spider continues its efforts despite failing repeatedly, showing that persistence leads to success.

3. Small things can be powerful teachers – We often admire great people, but the poem shows that even a little spider can teach a meaningful life lesson.

4. Never stop trying – Although the spider falls many times, it keeps climbing and eventually succeeds. King Bruce follows this example and wins too.

Try Again Class 7 Questions and Answers – Let us learn (Pages 22-24)

I. Write the opposites of the following words taken from the poem.
1. up × _____________
2. fast × _____________
3. glad × _____________
4. win × _____________
5. succeed × _____________

Answer:
1. up × down
2. fast × slow
3. glad × sad
4. win × lose
5. succeed × fail

II. Choose the correct meaning of the underlined words in the following sentences from the box given below. Frame sentences of your own for these words.

(i) Please make every endeavour to arrive on time.

(ii) Ants toil tirelessly to save food for rainy season.

(iii) We encourage all students to strive to do their best.

(iv) The sailors braced themselves against the strong wind.

Answer: Correct Meanings and Sentences

1. Endeavour — an attempt to do something new or difficult
Sentence: Rohan’s endeavour to learn a new language was successful.

2. Toil — work very hard and/or for a long time
Sentence: Farmers toil in the fields all day to grow crops.

3. Strive — to try very hard to achieve something
Sentence: Students must strive to achieve their dreams with hard work.

4. Braced — prepared themselves for something difficult
Sentence: The team braced themselves for a tough competition.

III. The poem uses words that show distance.

For example:

a long way up, inch by inch, higher and higher, half-yard higher
Classify the words or phrases in the box given below based on the distance (far or near) and write in the space provided. You may take the help of a dictionary.

Answer:

IV. Read the following line from the poem.
‘Twas a delicate thread it had to tread,
Now repeat the lines five to six times. Are you able to say it clearly? Create more tongue twisters of your own.

Answer: Some Fun Tongue Twisters You Can Try:

1. Betty bought a bit of butter, but the butter was bitter.

2. Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.

3. Fred’s fresh fried fish fried freshly.

4. Tim the tiny tiger tiptoed through the tangled twigs.

Try Again Question Answer Class 7 – Let us listen (Page 24)

I. You will listen to a story about an ant. Read the questions given below and before you listen, guess the answers to these questions. (Transcript for the teacher on NCERT page 40).

Question 1. What was the ant known for?
(i) determination
(ii) strength
(iii) wisdom

Answer: (i) determination

Question 2. Why was the ant unable to take the roti home?
(i) It was stuck under a rock.
(ii) It was too heavy to carry.
(iii) It was pulled by other ants.

Answer: (ii) It was too heavy to carry.

Question 3. What was the bird doing?
(i) playing with the ant
(ii) searching for food
(iii) picking up leaves

Answer: (iii) picking up leaves

Question 4. How did the bird make the ant feel?
(i) proud
(ii) inspired
(iii) relaxed

Answer: (ii) inspired.

Question 5. How did the fellow ants help?
(i) by advising the ant continuously.
(ii) by standing still near the ant.
(iii) by joining the ant in her efforts.

Answer: (iii) by joining the ant in her efforts.

II. Now, listen to the story once again and as you listen, check whether your answers are correct.

Answer: Students should do it by themselves.

Class 7 English Chapter 2 Question Answer – Let us speak (Page 25)

Narrate a personal experience about a time when you were motivated by some¬one or something to carry on and never give up. Your perseverance helped you.

Use the following sentence prompts as a guide for your narration. Use as per your topic.

1. Introduction:

• I remember a time when ………

• I felt like giving up. It was when…

• There was a moment in my life when

• I faced a big challenge. It happened when…

2. Describe the challenge:

• The challenge I faced was…

• I was struggling with…

• The problem seemed too big because …

3. Feeling disheartened:

• At first, I felt discouraged and thought about giving up because…

• I didn’t think I could succeed because …

• I felt upset and wanted to leave because…

4. The source of motivation:

• But then, I saw/heard/read about…

• Someone/something inspired me to keep going. It was…

• I remembered the poem… do not quit…

5. Taking action:

• After feeling inspired, I decided to…

• I gathered my strength and…

• With a new sense of willpower, I…

• I asked for help from…

6. The result:

• In the end, I was able to…

• Thanks to standing firm and never giving up, I achieved…

• I felt proud because …

• It was worth it because …

7. Reflection:

• This experience taught me that…

• I learned that perseverance is the key to success…

• Now, I always remember to…

• The lesson I learnt from this is…

Answer:

Never Give Up – My Experience

There was a time when I felt completely defeated and wanted to give up. It happened while I was preparing for my math exam. Math had always been difficult for me, and despite practising again and again, I continued to make mistakes.

The biggest challenge I faced was understanding algebra. The formulas and equations confused me, and no matter how hard I tried, I kept getting the wrong answers. The exam was only a week away, and the problem felt overwhelming. I thought I would never be able to improve.

At first, I felt discouraged and even considered giving up because I was afraid of failing. I had already tried many times without success, so I began to lose confidence. I felt upset and wanted to push my books aside.

Then something changed. I watched a motivational video about a scientist who had failed repeatedly before finally succeeding. It made me realise that mistakes are part of the journey. My teacher also encouraged me by saying, “Success comes to those who keep trying.” These words inspired me to keep going.

Feeling motivated, I decided to practise regularly, even if I continued to make errors. I gathered the courage to ask my teacher and friends for help. I also started breaking the problems into smaller steps and solving them patiently.

Slowly, things improved. I finally understood algebra and was able to solve the equations correctly.

In the end, I passed my math exam with good marks. I felt truly proud because I didn’t give up—my hard work finally paid off.

This experience taught me that perseverance leads to success. I learned that it’s okay to fail, as long as you keep trying. Now, whenever I face a difficult situation, I remind myself to stay determined and never give up.

NCERT Class 7 English Poorvi Chapter 2 Question Answer – Let us write (Page 26)

King Bruce was inspired by the spider that kept on trying till it was successful. Think about the steps you can take to overcome a difficult situation and write them down.
Now, write a letter to your cousin on how you plan to overcome any difficult situation. Also, advise not to quit and persevere.

Remember to use transition words like ‘To begin with …,’ ‘Next…,’ ‘After that…,’ ‘Then…,’ ‘Finally…,’ to share the steps of /our plan.

You may begin this way:

You may end this way:

Answer:

20, Rajendra Nagar
Jeevanpur
23 August 2025

Dear Monika,

Thank you for your letter asking how I handle difficult situations. Recently, I read a poem about King Bruce and the spider, and it taught me a wonderful lesson about perseverance. It made me reflect on how I face challenges in my own life.

Whenever I come across a tough situation, I first remind myself that every problem has a solution, and staying calm is the best way to begin. Then, I try to understand the problem clearly and think of different ways to solve it. After that, I break the problem into smaller, manageable parts and deal with them one by one. If I need support, I talk to my parents, teachers, or friends. And above all, I keep trying and do not lose hope—just like the determined spider in the poem.

I hope you remember this too, Monika. Never give up, even when things get difficult. Success comes to those who continue to try with patience and confidence. Whenever you face challenges, follow these steps and you will surely overcome them. Stay positive and trust yourself!

Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours affectionately,
Deepa

Class 7th English Chapter 2 Day the River Spoke Question Answer – Let us Explore (Pages 26-27)

I. Collect folk songs in your own language that connect us with nature and compile them as a class project.

II. Did you know that spiders are not insects? They belong to a group called the arachnids. Observe a spider and an ant from a distance and note down the differences between them. Share your observations with your classmates. Ask your Science teacher for more information to know about spiders better.

III. Let us learn how to weave a spider web.
1. Take three sticks (each about eight inches long) and a roll of old wool.
2. Tie the sticks together in the centre with the wool (Fig. 1).
3. Start weaving the web by putting a loop around every stick (Figs. 2 and 3).
4. Complete the web and tie the thread in a knot on the stick where the web is complete 

(Fig. 4). Now, decorate it with words and phrases you learnt about the spider in the poem or anything else that you like.

Answer: Students can do themselves as directed.

Why is “Try Again” Important?

The poem in NCERT Solutions Class 7 English Chapter 2 Try Again highlights the value of perseverance. By learning from King Bruce and the spider, students understand that continuous effort is the key to success.

Mastering Class 7 English Chapter 2 helps boost your understanding and builds confidence. Focusing on the poem's message prepares you to face both academic and life challenges without losing hope.

Reviewing NCERT questions and exercises regularly sharpens your skills. Remember, every mistake is a step forward—embrace the habit to “try again” for a higher score in exams.