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NCERT Solutions for Class 7 english Chapter 10: The Tunnel

27 Solved Questions & Exercises20 min estimated readingUpdated 2026-09-16
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NCERT Solutions • Class 7 English (Poorvi)
Chapter 10: The Tunnel
Latest Rationalised Syllabus (NEP 2026-27)

Click here to access the bestPoorvi Unit 4 Travel and Adventure Chapter 10 The Tunnel Questions and Answers.

The Tunnel Class 7 Questions and Answers

The Tunnel Class 7 Question Answer

NCERT Class 7 English Poorvi Chapter 10 The Tunnel Question Answer

The Tunnel Question Answer – Let us do these activities before we read. (Pages 139-140)

Question 1 (I)

What kind of an adventure activity would you like to be a part of ? Now, choose the option(s) that best applies to you.

Question 1


How would you like to spend yoUr weekends?
(i) Trying new activities
(ii) Reading a book
(iii) Spending time with friends
(iv) Learning something new

Solution:
(iv) Learning something ne
Question 2


Which of these places would you prefer to explore?
(i) Dense forests and clear streams
(ii) Magical lands with fairies
(iii) Busy cities with interesting people
(iv) Quiet places to think and create
Answer:
(iv) Quiet places to think and create

Question 3


Which one of these activities would you prefer to do?
(i) Climbing a mountain or exploring a jungle
(ii) Finding a hidden treasure or discovering a secret world
(iii) Solving puzzles or guessing riddles with friends
(iv) Making something creative or building a model
Answer:
(iv) Making something creative or building a model

Question 4


What do you think about teamwork?
(i) I love leading the team.
(ii) I enjoy working with others.
(iii) I prefer sharing ideas with friends.
(iv) I like working alone.
Answer:
(i) I love leading the team.

(Note: These are suggestive answers. Stu¬dents to write as they like these activities)
Based on your choices, which of the following do you think applies the best to you? Discuss with your classmates.

You may add to the list as per your choices.
Answer:
I think I am a mixture of a bold explorer, an energetic planner, and a thoughtful creator. I embrace challenges with curiosity, organise ideas with enthusiasm and express creativity with depth. This blend allows me to navigate new experiences, turn visions into reality and craft meaningful contributions to the world.

The Tunnel Class 7 Question Answer – Let us discuss (Pages 144-145)

Question 1


Suraj compares the train to a magical creature. Pick the phrases that convey the meaning.
Answer:
The phrases that convey the meaning of Suraj comparing the train to a magical train are:
(a) The railway lines were two straight black serpents disappearing into the tunnel in the hill side.
(b) The steam engine shot out of the tunnel, snorting and puffing like some green, black and gold dragon.
(c) It charged straight at the tunnel, and into it thundering past Suraj like the beautiful dragon of his dreams.

Question 2


Suraj knew that the train was close by because ___________.
Answer:
He had heard, in the distance, the shrill whistle of the engine.

Question 3


What did Spraj see inside the tunnel?
Answer:
Inside the tunnel it was too dark, the walls were damp and sticky, a bat flew past and a lizard scuttled between the lines.

Question 4


Select the correct option.
What does Sunder Singh convey about the tunnel?
He says that ___________ (it is damp and sticky inside/he has lent it to the Government).
Answer:
He has lent it to the Government.

Question 5


The watchman has created a system through which he informs the locomotive driver about any danger in the tunnel. The following flow chart shows this system. Refer to the text and complete the flow chart.

Answer:

The Tunnel Diagram 1

The Tunnel Diagram 2

Class 7 English The Tunnel Question Answer – Let us discuss (Page 149)

Question 1


Sunder Singh knew that the leopard was in the tunnel because ___________.
Answer:
he could hear padded footfall of the leopard and rustle of dry leaves.

Question 2


Why do you think Suraj was unable to do any shouting in the tunnel in the beginning?
(i) He was afraid of the leopard.
(ii) He didn’t want to disturb the leopard,
(iii) He was trying to listen for the leopard.
(iv) He didn’t really believe Sunder Singh.
Answer:
(iii) He was trying to listen for the leopard.

Question 3


What made the leopard disappear into the darkness?
Answer:
The leopard disappeared into the darkness because, when both Suraj and Sunder Singh shouted in the tunnel, their voices echoed. Hearing their shouts, the leopard became terrified, thinking that many humans wers following it.

Question 4


How did Suraj know Sunder Singh was at the tunnel?
Answer:
Suraj knew that Sunder Singh was at the tunnel because, he saw a lamp glowing inside it while travelling with his father to Delhi. Even though he couldn’t see Sunder Singh’s face, he was sure that it was his friend Sunder who was there.

Question 5


Why did Suraj’s father take him along to Delhi?
Answer:
Suraj’s father took him to Delhi because he felt it was time for Suraj to learn about the business he does.

The Tunnel Class 7 Questions and Answers – Let us think and reflect (Pages 149-151)

Question 2 (I)

Read the following lines and answer the questions that follow:

1. Suraj had to turn and look back at the opening to reassure himself that there was still daylight outside. Ahead of him, the tunnel’s other opening was just a small round circle of light.
The tunnel was still full of smoke from the train, but it would be several hours before another train came through. Till then, the cutting belonged to the jungle again.
Suraj didn’t stop, because there was nothing to do in the tunnel and nothing to see. He had simply wanted to walk through, so that he would know what the inside of a tunnel was really like.

(i) Write whether the following statement is true or false.
Suraj looked back at the opening of the tunnel to check if the train was coming.

Solution:
False (He looked back to see whether it is day or evening outside the tunnel.)

(ii) Choose the correct option to complete the sentence given below.
Suraj did not stop anywhere in the tunnel because.
A. there was nothing to see in the tunnel
B. the tunnel was damp and sticky
C. he was in a hurry to get out of the tunnel
D. it was time for another train to come
Answer:
A. there was nothing to see in the tunnel

(iii) What does the sentence Till then, the cutting belonged to the jungle again’ mean?
Answer:
It means that the cleared path through which the train travelled would return to its normal state, becoming part of the jungle once more.

(iv) Suraj wanted to know the inside of the tunnel. What character trait of Suraj is highlighted here?
Answer:
The character trait of Suraj being highlighted here is that he is bold and curious.

Question 3 (2)

“The train will soon be here,” said Suraj.
“Yes, my friend. And if we don’t drive the leopard out of the tunnel it will be run over and killed. I can’t let that happen.” “But won’t it attack us if we try to drive it out?” asked Suraj, beginning to share the watchman’s concern.
“Not this leopard. It knows me well. We have seen each other many times. It has a weakness for goats and stray dogs, but it ufill not harm us. Even so, I’ll take my axe with me. You stay here; Suraj.”

(i) What was the watchman’s concern?

Solution:
The watchman heard the noise of the leopard in the tunnel. His concern was that if he did not drive the leopard out, it would be run over by the train.

(ii) Complete the sentence with a suitable reason.
Sunder Singh was sure that the leopard in the tunnel would not attack him and Suraj because ___________.
Answer:
Sunder Singh knew that the leopard has weakness for goats and stray dogs.

(iii) Select the sentences that are true from those given below.
A. Suraj wants to see leopards in the jungle.
B. Suraj is concerned about Sunder Singh’s safety.
C. The leopard in the tunnel attacks goats and stray dogs.
D. Sunder Singh wants to protect Suraj.
E. Sunder Singh knows all about the animals in the jungle.
Answer:
Sentences B, C, D and E are true.

(iv) Choose the correct option to complete the sentence.
Sunder Singh decides to take his axe with him. This tells us that he was ___________.
A. violent
B. cautious
C. bold
D. afraid
Answer:
B. cautious

II. Answer the following questions

Question 1


What does Sunder Singh convey by saying that he has lent his tunnel to the Government?
Answer:
By saying so he wants to convey that since the tunnel is in the middle of the jungle and no one wants to visit or inspect it, he is the only one who takes care of it. He feels that the tunnel belongs to him, though he acknowledges that it belongs to the government.

Question 2


According to Sunder Singh, “It is safer in the forest than in the town”. What example does Sunder Singh give to support his opinion? What does this tell us about him?
Answer:
Sunder Singh supported his statement, “Itis safer in the forest than in the town”, by giving an example—he was almost run over by a bus when he went to the town last month.

This shows that Sunder Singh is content with his simple life, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and cherishes his peaceful existence in the forest, close to nature.

Question 3


Sunder Singh has become part of the jungle life. Support the view with a suitable reason.
Answer:
Sunder Singh has become a part of the jungle, as shown by his deep understanding of its complexities. He knows the traits of all the animals in the jungle. For example, he is aware that the leopard is not aggressive towards humans, as it prefers to hunt goats and wild dogs for food. He entered the tunnel to drive the leopard out and took an axe for protection only after Suraj warned him that the leopard might harm them.

Question 4


Sunder Singh and Suraj form an unlikely friendship. What draws them together?
Answer:
Suraj and Sunder Singh form an unlikely friendship, brought together by their shared love for nature and the peace of forest life.

Suraj, curious and adventurous, comes from the city to visit the tunnel and explore the jungle. Sunder Singh, on the other hand, prefers the calm and simplicity of the forest over the chaos of city life. Their common appreciation for the natural world, along with their respect for the jungle and its creatures creates a bond between them despite their different backgrounds.

Question 5


Why is Sunder Singh referred to as a ‘firefly’?
Answer:
Sunder Singh is referred to as a firefly because, like a firefly that provides light in the darkness, he serves as a guiding presence to the train driver in the lonely and mysterious jungle. He is a watchman with a lamp, always present to help and reassure travellers passing through the night, Sunder Singh’s presence brings a sense of safety and familiarity to those journeying through the dark and unknown terrain.

Question 6


Do you think Suraj is an adventure-loving boy? Give reasons.
Answer:
Yes, we can see that Suraj is an adventure-loving boy. He travelled from the city to a village on a bicycle, left it there and walked all the way to explore the jungle and the tunnel. He experienced the train leaving a cloud of smoke, cinders flying in all directions, tree leaves rustling, bats flying and a lizard crawling between the tracks in the tunnel. He also observed the dark and damp tunnel walls, encountered a leopard in the jungle, sippeji tea with the watchman, and even helped drive the leopard out of the tunnel to prevent it from being run over by the train.
All these incidents clearly show how adventurous he is.

The Tunnel Question Answer Class 7 – Let us learn (Pages 151-153)

Question 4 (I)

Complete the following sentences using the suitable phrases from the text given in the box below:

1. We could hear the ______________________ of the train long before it came into view at the station.
2. The street was completely dark but the little boy walked to his house guided by the ______________________ from the houses.
3. The ______________________ from the carpenter’s workshop grew louder every hour.
4. From the balcony, she watched the ______________________ from her neighbour’s chimney flat across the backyard.

Solution:
1. We could hear theapproaching engineof the train long before it came into view at the station.
2. The street was completely dark but the little boy walked to his house guided by theflickering lightsfrom the houses.
3. Thesawing soundfrom the carpenter’s workshop grew louder every hour.
4. From the balcony, she watched thedrifting smokefrom her neighbour’s chimney float across the backyard.

The Tunnel Diagram 3

II. The text has many ‘sound words’. Some of these words are given in Column 1 and their meanings are given down. At night, the watchman lit an oil lamp and made a similar inspection of the tunnel

Now, complete the sentences given below by filing in the blanks with the correct form of the sound words given in Column 1.
1. The steam engine reached the station __________________ black smoke into the sky.
2. Suddenly the snake raised its hood and made a __________________ noise.
3. When the wind blew, I heard the __________________ of the wooden roof.
4. He heard a __________________ of leaves behind him when he was walking in the woods.
5. I get disturbed by the continuous __________________ of the monkeys in the neighbourhood.
Answer:
1. The steam engine reached the stationpuffingblack smoke into the sky.
2. Suddenly the snake raised its hood and made ahissingnoise.
3. When the wind blew, I heard thecreakingof the wooden roof.
4. He heard arustlingof leaves behind him when he was walking in the woods.
5. I get disturbed by the continuouschatteringof the monkeys in the neighbourhood.

The Tunnel Diagram 4

III. Read what the watchman Sunder Singh did regularly at the tunnel as part of his duty. Notice the use of ‘would’.
Every day, before the train came through, he would walk the length of the tunnel. If all was.well,, he would return to his hut and take a nap. If something was wrong, he would walk back up the line and wave a red flag and the engine driver would slow down. At night, the watchman lit an oil lamp and made a similar inspection of the tunnel

Question 1


Why is the word ‘would’ used here?
(i) to make a polite request
(ii) to express a desire
(iii) to talk about a habit in the past

In these sentences, the word “would’ is used to speak about a past habit.
GOLDEN GRAMMAR TIPS
‘Would’ is used in these sentences to describe actions again and again over a period of time in the past. These are known as “habitual or routine actions’.
Would and used to both describe actions that happened regularly in the past. However, “used to’ is often used for past habits or situations that no longer occur.

Question 2


Complete the sentences using the verb in brackets with the correct form of ‘used to’ or ‘would’. An example has been done for you.

When I was a child we used to live in a village near a forest. Back then, we (i) _____________ (grow) vegetables in our back garden. Every day we (ii) _____________ (get up) early and go for a walk. The weather in summer (iii) _____________ (be) really nice. There was a lake near the house and we (iv) _____________ (go) there every Sunday for a picnic. Winters (v) _____________ (be) rather cold. In the evenings, my father (vi) _____________ (tell) us incredible stories and we (vii) _____________ (listen) with admiration.
Answer:
When I ‘was a child we used to live in a village near a forest. Back then, we (i)used to grow(grow) vegetables in our back garden. Every day we (ii)would get up(get up) early and go for a walk. The weather in summer (iii)used to be(be) really nice. There was a lake near the house and we (iv)would go(go) there every Sunday for a picnic. Winters (v)used to be(be) rather cold. In the evenings, my father (vi)would tell(tell) us incredible stories and we (vii)would listen(listen) with admiration.

IV. We use punctuation marks to make our writing clear. You already know how to use full stops and commas. Let us look at three more punctuation marks-brack- ets, semicolon; and colon.

Colon (:) is used to introduce a list or an explanation.

Semicolon (;) is used to connect two clauses which are closely related without a conjunction.

Now, use semicolons and colons to punctuate the following paragraph.
Answer:
We explored the busy by-lanes of Charminar, the heart of Hyderabad; it was an exciting day. We wanted to do a few things: buy bangles, taste biryani, and purchase pearl earrings, which are special to this area. As we walked through the lanes, we saw stalls selling spices, clothes, and jewellery; the market was full of colours. We visited some famous spots:
Charminar, Golconda Fort, Salar Jung Museum, and Chowmahalla Palace; each place was beautiful.

Class 7 English Chapter 10 Question Answer – Let us listen (Pages 153-154)

A famous museum in your town is organising a treasure hunt in the museum premises. You and your friends decide to participate in it. Upon arrival, you find that there are many other teams. Each team is given an audio guide (recorded information) and a map to the museum.
(Transcript for the teacher on NCERT Page 176)

Listen to the audio recording and as you listen, mark your map with the route to take to find the treasure. To help you, the names of a few rooms in the museum are given below. Now listen to the audio and mark the various rooms.


Answer:

The Tunnel Diagram 5

The Tunnel Diagram 6

The Tunnel Diagram 7

NCERT Class 7 English Poorvi Chapter 10 Question Answer – Let us speak (Pages 154-155)

Anju is going on a trekking trip with her family during the summer vacation. They have reached the railway station. Anju calls the tour manager for directions to the trekking site.
Work in pairs and have this conversation. Student A will play the role of Anju and mark the route on the map given below. Student B will play the role of the tour manager. Looking at the map, give directions to reach the trekking site from the railway station. You may use phrases like the ones in the box to help you.


Answer:
Conversation between Student A (Anju) and Student B (Tour Manager) regarding directions from railway station to the trekking site.

The Tunnel Diagram 8

The Tunnel Diagram 9

Class 7th English Chapter 10 The Tunnel Question Answer – Let us write (Page 155)

Write a descriptive paragraph about your experience of a train journey. Describe the sights, sounds, and feelings you experienced during the journey. Include details about the people around you, the scenery outside, and the atmosphere inside the train to make your paragraph vivid and engaging.

You may use the following guidelines to help you create the paragraph.

Solution:

A Memorable Train Journey
My train journey began on a bright morning as I boarded the train with excitement bubbling inside me. After finding my window seat, I settled in and looked around. The station was buzzing with the hustle and bustle of passengers, hawkers, and announcements blaring over the loudspeaker. As the train started moving, the rhythmic clatter of the wheels on the track filled my ears. The whistle of the engine echoed like a song of adventure.

Looking out the window, I saw the scenery change from crowded cities to peaceful villages and lush green fields. Children waved at the train as it sped past, and cattle grazed lazily in the distance. Inside, the coach was alive with chatter—families sharing snacks, children playing games, and friendly co-passengers exchanging stories.
The journey made me feel relaxed and joyful. There was something magical about watching the world pass by from a moving train. It wasn’t just a ride—it was an experience filled with sights, sounds, and emotions 111 always remember.

The Tunnel Class 7 NCERT Solutions – Let us explore (Page 156)

Question 5 (I)

The Nation’s pride Atal Tunnel is 9.02 kilometres long. It runs under the Rohtang Pass. It was constructed on the Manali–Leh Highway under the challenging conditions of freezing temperatures in extremely diffilt terrain. The Atal Tunnel has offially been certifid by World Book of Records as the ‘World’s Longest Highway Tunnel above 10,000 Feet’!

Solution:
Students Do It Yourself

The Tunnel Diagram 10

II. The history of Indian Railways spans over 165 years. On 16 April 1853, the fist passenger train ran between Bori Bunder (Mumbai) and Thane, covering 34 kilometres. It was operated by three locomotives named Sahib, Sultan, and Sindh and had thirteen carriages. In 1864, the North received its fist station, Delhi Junction, near Chandni Chowk. You may refer to the given link to know more about Indian Railways.
Answer:
Students Do It Yourself

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