The cat Solutions – AAtoons Study

Ch 7 – The cat Solutions

Content Structure

1. About the author – (Andrew Barton Paterson)
2. Summary
3. Word meanings
4. Comprehension exercises
- Unit – 1
- Unit – 2
- Unit – 3
5. Grammar in Use
6. Writing activities

1. About the author – (Andrew Barton Paterson)

Andrew Barton Paterson was an Australian poet, journalist, and author who wrote extensively on Australian life. He was born on 17th February 1864. He uses simple and daily language in his books; this makes the story more real, familiar, and easy to understand. The text describes in minute detail the daily activities of cats. His notable works are Waltzing Matilda and The Man from Snowy River. He died on 5th February 1941.

2. Summary

In the story, the author describes the real character of the cat by showing that he plays different roles much like a human and is not just a soft pet who drinks milk and catches mice. The author portrays him as a grim fighter through his powerful movements such as jumping, leaping, and twisting with remarkable skill to attract the attention of people. The cat lives in two different worlds: during the day he is calm and gentle while at night, he becomes a wild animal who freely takes part in adventurous activities with his friends. He is also well aware of the timing of human routines so when the family sits down for tea in the evening he purrs loudly and rubs against their legs to get their attention. When guests arrive he behaves politely because he knows they often bring the best food. However, not all guests are the same, some guests simply pat him and say, “Poor pussy,” which frustrates him, and he scratches their legs in response. This shows that he is intelligent like a human and unafraid to express his needs. Afterward, he goes to the backyard to enjoy some real adventurous fun with his friends. The poet tells us that the cat turns an ordinary backyard into a place full of games and excitement similar to the adventures of King Arthur’s knights in old stories. Some people believe that cats are more attached to their home and surroundings than to people so they prefer to stay in one place. This shows the cat’s deep attachment to place and that he never enjoys his adventures without the friends or the home he loves.

3. Word meanings

1. Acrobat – A good jumper and mover
2. Loafs – Lays around doing nothing
3. Pestered – Disturbed
4. Dying – Feeling really bored or tired
5. Boredom – Nothing fun to do
6. Grim – Serious or tough
7. Appearence – The way someone shows up
8. Noisily – Loudly
9. Purrs – Happy cat sound
10. Rakes – Scratches with claws
11. Stoops – Bends down
12. Stuck – Pushed in and stayed
13. Gingerly – Very carefully
14. Receives – Gets
15. Slow to understand – Delay in making out
16. Retires – Goes away quietly
17. Delighted – Very happy
18. Sauntars – Walks slowly and cool
19. Trots – Walks fast with small steps
20. Backyard – Space behind a house
21. Lithe – Moves smooth and fast
22. Kindred – Family or close friends
23. Gliding – Moving smooth and quiet
24. Gallant – Very brave
25. Landmark – Mark of a place
26. Adventure – Fun, exciting time
27. Reproach – Blame or scold
28. knights – Brave fighters from old times

4. Comprehension exercises

Unit – 1

1. Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences:

(a) Most people think the cat is
(i) wise
(ii) unintelligent
(iii) clever
(iv) intelligent

Ans: (ii) unintelligent

(b) The cat cares little for anything but mice and
(i) soup
(ii) juice
(iii) water
(iv) milk

Ans: (iv) milk

Ans: (iv) evening

2. Complete the following sentences with the information from the text:

(a) The cat really has more character than most human beings.
(b) The cat sometimes watches a mouse hole for an hour or two.
(c) All day long the cat allows himself to be pestered by the attentions of the people in the house.

3. State whether the following statements are True or False. Provide sentences/phrases/words in support of your answer:

(a) The cat is not found in ease. (False)
S/S: The cat is fond of comfort and enjoys living a life of ease.

(b) The cat has no athletic skills. (False)
S/S: The cat is described as an athlete, acrobat, and grim fighter.

(c) The cat take things very easily. (True)
S/S: The cat is calm and relaxed during the day and allows people to bother him without reacting, which shows he takes things easily.

Unit – 2

4. Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences:

(a) The cat rubs himself against the legs of the family members and noisily
(i) purrs
(ii) howls
(iii) barks
(iv) mews

Ans: (i) purrs

(b) With tears of rage and pain in his eyes, the guest affects to be very much
(i) amused
(ii) annoyed
(iii) unhappy
(iv) upset

Ans: (i) amused

Ans: (iii) fish

5. Fill in the chart with information from the text:

a) the guest calls the cat	Poor Pussy
b) part of the guest’s body that the cat rakes	Leg
c) the thing from which the cat stays at a safe distance	foot

6. Answer the following questions:

(a) When does the cat make an appearance to get his share of food?
Ans: The cat makes an appearance to get his share of food when the family gathers around the table for tea in the evening. At that moment, he rubs himself against their legs and purrs loudly to attract their attention.

(b) Who is the cat particularly civil to?
Ans: The cat is particularly polite and well-behaved toward the guest sitting at the table because he knows that guests often bring or are given special food, and they are more likely to share it with him.

(c) How does the cat receive the bit of fish handed down by the guest?
Ans: The cat gets the piece of fish from the guest after acting politely. He feels frustrated when the guest pats him and says, “Poor Pussy,” so he scratches the guest. The guest feels surprised and a little upset, so he pretends happily to give the cat a piece of fish.

Unit – 3

7. Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentence:

(a) The cat saunters down his own
(i) courtyard
(ii) front yard
(iii) backyard
(iv) shipyard

Ans: (iii) backyard

(b) The cat skips to the roof of an empty
(i) room
(ii) shade
(iii) floor
(iv) corridor

Ans: (ii) shade

(c) Exiled in the new land, the cat would have to learn new
(i) history
(ii) manner
(iii) culture
(iv) geography

Ans: (iv) geography

8. Complete the following sentences with information from the text:

(a) When the family gathers round the fire, the cat casually goes out of the room.
(b) The cat droops his head nearly to his paws and sends across a call to his kindred.
(c) Cats go for sport to the suburban backyard as they have more gallant adventures than King Arthur ever had.

9. Fill in the chart with information from the text:

cause	Effect
(a) The cat has many enemies	He looks around carefully and moves without making a sound.
(b) To see every muscle is in full working order.	The cat stretches a few times.
(c) The cat knows his friend and every landmark.	He does not want to leave his home or his friends.

5. Grammar in Use

10. Split the following sentences:

(a) They postponed their visit as the programme was called off.
Ans: They postponed their visit. The programme was called off.

(b) Having fought the battle, he returned victorious.
Ans: He fought the battle. He returned victorious.

(d) He was afraid lest he be proved guilty.
Ans: He was afraid. He might be proved guilty.

11. Join the following pairs of sentences into a single sentence:

(a) He is wise. He is brave.
Ans: He is wise and brave.

(b) My grandfather lives in a big house. The house is by the river.
Ans: My grandfather lives in a big house by the river.

(d) Muskan is sick. She could not attend the function.
Ans: Muskan could not attend the function because she is sick.

6. Writing activities

12. Suppose you are the secretary of a club which has decided to open a library. Write a notice (within 100 words) to the members of your club inviting them to actively join this programme by donating books for the library.

Adi Santi Sangha club
Notice

12/02/2024

Invitation for Book Donations for Club Library

It is to inform all members that our club, Adi Santi Sangha, is going to start a library and reading room for the students in our area. Many of them are unable to continue their studies because they do not have proper books. We request all members and well-wishers to support this good work by donating old books or buying new ones for the library.

A special programme will be held on 10 March 2024, from 9 AM to 5 PM at the club premises. Everyone is kindly invited to join and support this effort.

Secretary
Adi Santi Sangha