Chandni NCERT Extra Question answer for Class 7 English An Alien Hand Chapter 7

Short answer type question 

1. Who is the author of the story "Chandni"?

Answer: Anita Desai.

2. What is the central theme of the story?

Answer: Friendship.

3. Who are the main characters in "Chandni"?

Answer: Tara, Beryl, and Chandni.

4. What is unique about Chandni?

Answer: She is a talking myna bird.

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5. How does Chandni enter Tara's life?

Answer: Chandni flies into Tara's room during a storm.

6. Why does Tara decide to keep Chandni?

Answer: Tara decides to keep Chandni as a pet and a friend.

7. What role does Chandni play in Tara's life?

Answer: Chandni becomes a source of companionship and comfort for Tara.

8. What happens when Tara's aunt visits?

Answer: Tara's aunt insists that the bird is just a bird and not a magical talking creature.

9. How does Tara's aunt react to Chandni's abilities?

Answer: Tara's aunt is skeptical and dismissive of Chandni's ability to talk.

10. What experiment does Tara conduct to prove Chandni's talking ability?

Answer: Tara leaves a cage open to see if Chandni will fly in by herself.

11. Why does Chandni stop talking?

Answer: Chandni stops talking in the presence of strangers, feeling shy or uncomfortable.

12. How does Beryl react to Chandni?

Answer: Beryl is amazed and scared when she witnesses Chandni talking.

13. What does Beryl suggest regarding Chandni's abilities?

Answer: Beryl suggests that Chandni might be an escaped pet from a magician.

14. What is Tara's opinion about Chandni's silence in front of strangers?

Answer: Tara understands and respects Chandni's choice to remain silent in front of strangers.

15. How does Chandni respond to Tara's kindness?

Answer: Chandni reciprocates Tara's kindness by becoming a loyal and affectionate friend.

16. What does Tara feel about Chandni's silence in the end?

Answer: Tara is content and understands the meaning behind Chandni's silence.

17. How does the story "Chandni" explore the theme of friendship?

Answer: The story highlights the deep and meaningful friendship between Tara and Chandni, emphasizing the emotional connection between humans and animals.

18. Why does Tara believe Chandni is special?

Answer: Tara believes Chandni is special because of her ability to talk and the unique bond they share.

19. How does Chandni bring joy to Tara's life?

Answer: Chandni brings joy to Tara's life through companionship, understanding, and the comfort of having a talking friend.

20. What role does the storm play in the story?

Answer: The storm serves as the catalyst for Chandni's entry into Tara's life, marking the beginning of their unique friendship.

21. How does Tara's aunt view Chandni's abilities?

Answer: Tara's aunt is skeptical and dismissive, attributing Chandni's talking to ordinary bird sounds.

22. What is the significance of the open cage experiment?

Answer: The experiment symbolizes Tara's attempt to prove Chandni's uniqueness to her skeptical aunt.

23. How does the story address the idea of magical or extraordinary elements?

Answer: The story delicately weaves the extraordinary element of a talking bird into the everyday life of Tara, exploring the magical aspects of friendship and understanding.

24. Why does Chandni become silent in the presence of strangers?

Answer: Chandni becomes silent in the presence of strangers, indicating a sense of shyness or discomfort.

25. What lesson does Tara learn from her experiences with Chandni?

Answer: Tara learns the value of true friendship, the importance of understanding and respecting others' preferences, and the joy that can come from unconventional companionship.

Long answer type question 

1. Question: Explore the symbolism of Chandni's silence in the presence of strangers. What does it signify about the nature of relationships and understanding in the story?

Answer: Chandni's silence in the presence of strangers serves as a symbol of trust and intimacy. Unlike her free and expressive communication with Tara, Chandni chooses to remain silent around those she doesn't know well. This behavior highlights the depth of the bond between Tara and Chandni, suggesting that true understanding and meaningful connections require a level of familiarity and trust. It also reflects the idea that not all relationships are meant to be shared with the outside world; some connections are unique and reserved for those who genuinely understand and respect them.

2. Question: Analyze Tara's aunt's skepticism about Chandni's talking abilities. How does this skepticism contribute to the overarching themes of the story, and what does it reveal about societal perceptions of the extraordinary?

Answer: Tara's aunt's skepticism about Chandni's talking abilities represents a common societal perspective that often dismisses the extraordinary as mere imagination or coincidence. This skepticism contributes to the overarching theme of the story by highlighting the contrast between the magical, almost fantastical element of Chandni's abilities and the practical, skeptical mindset of society. It underscores the story's exploration of unconventional relationships and experiences, inviting readers to question societal norms and embrace the extraordinary, even in the ordinary.

3. Question: Discuss the impact of the storm on the narrative and its role in bringing Chandni into Tara's life. How does the storm symbolize change and new beginnings in the story?

Answer: The storm serves as a pivotal moment in the narrative, acting as the catalyst that brings Chandni into Tara's life. Symbolically, the storm represents a force of nature that disrupts the ordinary course of events, signaling change and new beginnings. The sudden entry of Chandni during the storm parallels the unexpected and transformative nature of friendships. It signifies that sometimes, life's most meaningful connections emerge during moments of upheaval, bringing with them a sense of freshness, renewal, and the promise of something extraordinary.

4. Question: Explore the theme of unconventional friendship in "Chandni." How does the story challenge traditional notions of companionship, and what does the relationship between Tara and Chandni reveal about the nature of human-animal connections?

Answer: The theme of unconventional friendship is central to "Chandni." Tara's friendship with Chandni challenges traditional notions of companionship by extending beyond human relationships. The story emphasizes that meaningful connections can transcend species, highlighting the depth of understanding and emotional bonds that can exist between humans and animals. Tara's acceptance of Chandni as a friend, despite societal skepticism, encourages readers to reconsider preconceived notions about friendship and appreciate the unique and profound connections that can be formed beyond the boundaries of human relationships.

5. Question: Reflect on Tara's understanding of Chandni's silence towards the end of the story. What does Tara learn about communication, empathy, and the unspoken bonds that exist between friends?

Answer: Towards the end of the story, Tara's understanding of Chandni's silence becomes a profound realization about the unspoken bonds of true friendship. Tara learns that communication goes beyond words and that silence can convey a depth of understanding and comfort. Chandni's choice to remain silent around strangers is an unspoken agreement between them, highlighting the mutual respect and empathy that characterize their relationship. This realization underscores the theme that genuine connections are built on understanding, acceptance, and a shared language that transcends verbal communication.

6.  How does Chandni appear?

Chandni was a lively young and lovely goat with two little horns on her head and eyes that twinkled like stars. She was also as white as snow and as soft as cotton. She was a joy to be around and listened intently to Abbu Khan's stories. She was incredibly attentive and loving. Abbu Khan named his goat Chandni because it means moonlight.  

7.  Who was the stronger of the wolf or Chandni?

When the wolf and Chandni fought, it was clear that the wolf was the stronger of the two. He was incredibly large and vicious. This made Chandni frightening and deadly. Nonetheless, she was resolved to fight back since it would be nicer to die in the field than to live in a little cabin. She chose to fight for her independence and died as a result.

8. Why did Chandni confront the wolf?

Answer: Chandni resolves to fight back because she believes that dying in the open field is preferable to living in a tiny hut. Combat with a large and fierce wolf was terrifying and hazardous. As a result, she makes the decision to confront the wolf. She first realised her newfound independence and longed to fulfil that dream. The group of wild goats made an offer to Chandni as well, but she refused since she valued her independence. Her independence was the most essential thing to Chandni, and she was reluctant to give it up at any cost. 

9. Why did Abbu Khan’s goats gradually depart from him?

Answer: Abbu Khan was unfortunate about the goats. One fine night, one of his goats would tug on the line and then roam into the hills and beyond. Goats like their independence, and rather being tethered to trees or poles. The best hill breed goats, who also enjoy living in freedom, were kept by Abbu Khan. As a result, they would typically run whenever they got an opportunity. Chandni too wanted to enjoy her freedom, only to be killed by an elderly wolf that lived in the hills. Abbu Khan was angry and devastated when he failed in his objective. 

10. Describe the character of Abbu Khan.

Answer: An old and elderly man named Abbu Khan was well-known in Almora. He lived alone, except for a few goats he kept as pets. He gave his goats funny names like Kalua, Moongia, and Gujri. He would return with them at night and fasten a string around the neck of each goat. He would take them out for grazing during the day and speak to them as if they were his children.

11.  How was Abbu Khan mistaken again?

Answer: Abbu Khan adored his goats a lot and Chandni was special among them. Chandni also left him, and it was hard to accept it. . However, he was mistaken because Chandni started to ignore him; she won’t even eat the green grass that Abbu Khan brought. He was quite perplexed by Chandni’s behaviour. Later it was discovered that Chandni didn’t wish to live with him, and she wanted her freedom at any cost. 

12. What did Chandni do when she was in the hills?

Answer: She had the impression that the tall trees greeted her as she arrived at the hills. She was independent and roamed around freely. She found amusement in the flowering of the flowers. On the same day, she spent hours playing on the green hillsides. Moreover, Chandni ran into a herd of wild goats who invited her to join them. But she turned them down since she preferred being alone and wanted to enjoy her freedom.

13. What happened at the end of the story?

Answer: The wolf emerged from the bushes as darkness fell. He glared dreadfully at Chandni with eyes that shone like a flaming fire. Undeterred like a brave soldier, Chandni displayed courage by remaining steadfast on her feet. Then the fighting started, and it continued through the night. Chandni was covered in blood and found dead on the ground the following morning. Despite being exhausted and sleepy, the wolf was prepared to devour her.

14. Chandni is the epitome of freedom. Explain. 

Answer: Chandni was an adorable goat of Abbu Khan, an old man. He raised her with fatherly love and care. Abbu Khan used to tell stories about goats who dared to run away and were killed by the wolf. He usually brought her food and gave her every comfort. However, her desire for freedom did not deter her. Abbu Khan did try to stop her, and she never gave up. Chandni was brave, and she always enjoyed her taste of freedom when she sneaked out of Abbu Khan’s place. It was not before she was confronted with a big, ferocious wolf. She fought bravely and never gave up. To conclude, she sacrificed her life to enjoy her freedom. We can say that she lived her life bravely and well. She was the epitome of freedom. 

 15. Why did Chandni hate the rope around her neck?

Answer: Chandni, like other goats, never liked the rope around her neck as it restricted her freedom of movement and didn’t allow her to venture freely into the woods. She always wanted to run across the green fields towards the hills and beyond. Yet, the tethered rope around her neck stopped her from doing so. 

15. Why did Chandni never agree to join the group of wild goats?

Answer: Chandni always loved her freedom and enjoyed every minute of it. Therefore, she did not join them. 

16.  How did Abbu Khan use to take care of his goats?

Answer: Abbu Khan always loved his goats and always took care of his goats. He will take them for grazing and sometimes talk about the stories of his friends. Later at night, he would bring the little pack of goats to his hut and put a string around the neck of each goat to keep them safe. 

17. Why did Abbu Khan not wish to leave Chandni?

Answer: Abbu Khan’s newest young goat was named Chandni. She had a pleasant disposition and would listen to Abbu Khan’s stories with much affection and curiosity. Chandni means moonlight, he gave her that name and raised her like her own kid. He adored and loved her; therefore, he did not wish Chandni to let go of him. 

18. Why was Abbu Khan so adamant about staying with Chandni?

Answer: Despite having a deep love and affection for his goats. He did not, however, want them to travel to the hills since an elderly, deadly wolf dwelt there. The wolf kills the goats and devours them as they flee towards the hills. He did not want Chandni to travel to the hills because of this.