Animals Birds and Dr. Dolittle Answers Class 7 English NCERT

Animals Birds and Dr. Dolittle Answers Class 7 English NCERT – Explore complete solutions and explanations for UNIT II Chapter 1 from the POORVI Textbook of English for Grade 7. This guide provides summaries, question answers, and vocabulary support for better understanding. Perfect for Class 7 students preparing for exams and assignments.

Let us do these activities before we read. (Page 43)

I. Do you have a pet or a domestic animal?
Ans:  I do not have a pet, mainly because of limited space at home and a busy schedule. People who have pets often spend time playing with them, taking them for walks, feeding them, grooming them, or simply sitting with them to give companionship and affection. Pets often become part of the family.

POORVI: Textbook of English for Grade 7 Solution

II. Talking to an animal or bird
Ans:  If I had the chance to communicate with an animal, I would choose a wise old elephant. Elephants have long memories and live in close family groups, so I would like to hear about their experiences in the wild, how they take care of each other, and their thoughts about humans.

III. Observing body language of animals and birds

Ans: 

Duck – Wings spread, leaning forward: Likely angry or defensive, possibly trying to scare away a threat.

Cat – Arched back, puffed-up fur: Frightened or startled, ready to defend itself.

Dog – Tongue out, tail up and wagging: Happy and playful, showing friendliness.

Parrot – Wings slightly open, crest raised: Alert or curious, paying close attention to something.

PART I

Summary

Doctor John Dolittle is a kind man who works as a doctor for people. One day, a man suggests that he should treat animals instead. His parrot, Polynesia, tells him that animals can talk and offers to teach him animal language. Doctor Dolittle learns to understand and speak with different animals. Soon, animals from nearby areas come to him for help. He treats each one with care and respect. He even makes special doors for different animals to enter his house. A plough horse comes to him with poor eyesight, and the Doctor gives it green glasses to protect its eyes from the sun. Word spreads about his skills, and people start bringing their pets and farm animals to him. Animals from faraway places also come for treatment. Doctor Dolittle’s fame grows because he listens to animals, understands them, and treats them well. His kindness, patience, and willingness to learn new things make him a trusted friend of all creatures. The story shows the importance of caring for animals and listening to different viewpoints. It also tells us that communication, kindness, and respect can build trust between humans and animals.

Word Notes: 

Kind : gentle : दयालु

Suggests : advises : सुझाव देता है

Language : speech : भाषा

Nearby : close : पास का

Respect : honor : सम्मान

Fame : popularity : प्रसिद्धि

Creatures : living beings : जीव-जंतु

Patience : calmness : धैर्य

Trusted : reliable : भरोसेमंद

Let us discuss (Page 46)

I. Complete the following sentence by selecting a suitable reason.

The Cat’s-food-Man suggests to Doctor Dolittle that he should become an animal doctor because he believes that Dolittle ……………………………………………………………..
Ans: 4. knows more about animals than the local veterinarians.
(Reference: “You know all about animals—much more than what these vets here do.”)

II. Fill in the blanks by choosing the suitable option given in the brackets.

Ans: Doctor Dolittle reacts to Polynesia’s information about animal languages with both excitement and curiosity. He rushes to write the bird words she provides and is interested in learning more.
(Reference: “Tell me some more,” said the Doctor, all excited; … “Now don’t go too fast—and I’ll write it down.”)

III. Do you think Doctor Dolittle would be famous as an animal doctor? If yes, why? If not, why not?

Ans: Yes. Because with Polynesia’s help, he learned the language of animals so well that he could talk to them and understand everything they said, and then he gave up being a people’s doctor altogether.
(Reference: “After a while, with the parrot’s help, the Doctor got to learn the language of the animals so well that he could talk to them himself… Then he gave up being a people’s doctor altogether.”)

PART II

Summary:

When people learned that John Dolittle would become an animal doctor, many brought their pets and farm animals to him. Old ladies came with their pugs and poodles, and farmers brought sick cows and sheep. One day, a plough horse arrived and spoke to the Doctor in horse language. The horse explained that the local vet had treated him for weeks without checking his eyes. He needed spectacles because he was going blind in one eye. Doctor Dolittle agreed and made him green glasses to protect his eyes from the sun. The horse’s sight improved, and soon many farm animals wore glasses. Animals found it easy to tell the Doctor their problems because he spoke their language, and he could cure them quickly. Word spread among animals near and far. His garden was always full of creatures—big and small—waiting for treatment. He built special doors for each type of animal, even a small tunnel for mice. Birds traveling to other countries told animals abroad about him. In time, John Dolittle became famous all over the world for helping animals. He was happy with his life, surrounded by creatures who trusted and loved him.

Word Notes:

Spectacles : glasses : चश्मा
Plough : farming tool : हल
Blind : unable to see : अंधा
Complain : express unhappiness : शिकायत करना
Cure : heal : इलाज करना
Creature : living being : जीव
Crowded : full of people/animals : भीड़भाड़
Famous : well-known : प्रसिद्ध
Foreign : from another country : विदेशी
Patiently : calmly : धैर्यपूर्वक

Let us discuss (Page 49)

I. What became a common sight in Puddleby after Doctor Dolittle started treating animals?

Ans: 2. Farm animals wearing glasses
(Reference: “And soon it became a common sight to see farm animals wearing glasses in the countryside, round Puddleby…”)

II. What challenges do you think Doctor Dolittle might face if more and more animals come to him for help?

Ans: If more and more animals come to Doctor Dolittle, his garden may become overcrowded, making it difficult for all to get treatment. Different animals might need separate spaces and proper order. The text says his garden was “nearly always crowded,” so he would need arrangements like special doors for each kind to ensure smooth and timely treatment.

1. How might he overcome these challenges to ensure that he provides good treatment? 

Ans: Doctor Dolittle could overcome these challenges by making proper arrangements for different animals. The text says he “had to have special doors made for the different kinds” and even built “a tiny tunnel” for mice. By giving each kind of animal its own entrance and waiting area, he could maintain order, reduce crowding, and treat every animal properly, ensuring they received the care they needed without confusion or delay.

III Arrange the following events in correct order according to the story. Two have been done for you. Share your answers with your classmates and the teacher.

Ans:

Let us think and reflect (Page 50)

I Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.

1. “If I say, ‘Polly wants a cracker’, you understand me. But hear this: Kaka oi-ee, fee-fee?”

“Good Gracious!” cried the Doctor. “What does that mean?”

“That means, ‘Is the porridge hot yet?’—in bird language.”

“My! You don’t say so!” said the Doctor. “You never talked that way to me before.”

“What would have been the good?” said Polynesia, dusting some cracker crumbs off her left wing. “You wouldn’t have understood me if I had.”

(i) Complete the sentence by choosing the correct option.

In the line, “Good Gracious!” cried the Doctor, the expression ‘Good Gracious’ can be replaced by ______________!

A. bravo B. gosh C. alas D. hurray

(ii) Why had Polynesia never used bird language with the Doctor earlier?

(iii) Identify whether the following statement is true or false. Polynesia had been munching on a food item while talking to Doctor Dolittle.

(iv) How did Doctor Dolittle feel according to the extract?

A. anxious B. surprised C. angry D. relaxed

Ans: (i) B. gosh

(ii) Polynesia had never used bird language earlier because, as she said, “You wouldn’t have understood me if I had.”

(iii) True — She was “dusting some cracker crumbs off her left wing.”

(iv) B. surprised — He exclaimed “Good Gracious!” and “My! You don’t say so!”

2 Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.

2. “I would like a pair like yours,” said the horse—“only green. They’ll keep the Sun out of my eyes while I’m ploughing the field.”

“Certainly,” said the Doctor. “Green ones you shall have.”

“You know, the trouble is, Sir,” said the plough horse as the Doctor opened the front door to let him out—“the trouble is that anybody thinks he can doctor animals—just because the animals don’t complain. As a matter of fact, it takes a much cleverer man to be a really good animal doctor than it does to be a good people’s doctor.”

(i) Choose a word from the extract to complete the analogy. digging: flower bed:: ______________: field

(ii) Choose the correct word to complete the sentence. Doctor Dolittle’s attitude in the extract is ______________.

A. respectful B. sentimental C. understanding D. careful

(iii) Complete the sentence with an appropriate reason. Based on the extract, we can conclude that doctors take animals for granted because ______________.

(iv) Do you agree with the concluding sentence of the extract? Why/why not?

Ans: (i) ploughing — digging: flower bed :: ploughing: field

(ii) C. understanding — The Doctor said, “Certainly… Green ones you shall have,” agreeing without hesitation.

(iii) Doctors take animals for granted because, as the horse said, “anybody thinks he can doctor animals—just because the animals don’t complain.”

(iv) Yes — The horse explains that “it takes a much cleverer man to be a really good animal doctor than it does to be a good people’s doctor,” which matches the story’s theme that animal care requires special skill.

II Answer the following questions.

1. How can we say that Polynesia was a good trainer of animal language?

Ans: We can say Polynesia was a good trainer of animal language because the text says she “taught Doctor Dolittle animal languages, and he starts understanding and communicating with animals.” This shows that through her teaching, he gained the rare ability to talk to animals and understand everything they said, which became the foundation of his success as an animal doctor.

2. Explain how Doctor Dolittle gave equal and individual attention to each animal who came to him for treatment.

Ans: Doctor Dolittle gave equal and individual attention to each animal by making “special doors… for the different kinds” so they could enter separately. The text says “Horses” over the front door, “Cows” over the side door, and “Sheep” on the kitchen door… even the mice had a tiny tunnel made for them. This arrangement ensured every animal had its own entrance and space, allowing him to treat them in an orderly and fair manner.

3. How does Doctor Dolittle’s readiness to follow the parrot’s advice highlight the importance of listening to different viewpoints?

Ans: Doctor Dolittle’s readiness to follow the parrot’s advice shows the importance of listening to different viewpoints because, as the text says, “The parrot, Polynesia, encourages Doctor Dolittle to become an animal doctor, revealing that animals can talk.” By accepting her suggestion, he discovered a new way to help others and became successful. This proves that considering advice from others can open opportunities and lead to meaningful changes.

4. Which qualities of Doctor Dolittle made him famous among the animals? Explain with evidence from the text.

Ans: Doctor Dolittle became famous among the animals because he could “talk their language… they told him where the pain was and how they felt… it was easy for him to cure them.” The text also says, “every living thing for miles and miles got to know about John Dolittle” and even birds spread the news to foreign lands. His understanding, skill, and care made him trusted and well-known worldwide among animals.

5. What changes do you think would happen in the world if people suddenly gained the ability like Doctor Dolittle, to understand and communicate with animals?

Ans: If people could understand and communicate with animals like Doctor Dolittle, changes would include animals clearly telling humans about their needs, pains, and feelings, just as in the text where creatures “told him where the pain was and how they felt.” This would make curing them easier, prevent suffering, and improve relationships between humans and animals, much like how “a blind horse was a thing unknown” after Dolittle treated them.

Let us learn (Page 52)

I Read the following words from the text.

Compound words are formed by combining two words of different parts of speech to create a new word that has an entirely new meaning. They are of three types─hyphenated (Cat’s-food-Man), open compound words (bird language) and closed compound words (flowerpots).

Complete the following table correctly by choosing words from the box given below. An example has been done for you.

II Create compound words from the table given below.

Ans:

Now, complete the paragraph with suitable compound words from the table. An example has been done for you.

Ans: 

After being treated by Doctor Dolittle, the A. fun-loving dolphins danced playfully in his sanctuary. The B. never-ending chatter of monkeys echoed through the C. overhead, their ailments cured. D. high-tops eagles soared gracefully E. tree-flying their health restored. F. songbirds among the G. early-risers chirped joyfully from the branches. All creatures were happy with Doctor Dolittle’s care.

III Underline the names of animals that are hidden in the sentences given below. Clues are given within the brackets. An example has been done for you.

Ans: 

1. Dr. Dolittle was eating oatmeal for his breakfast. (a farm animal – meal → calf? Wait, no — actually “oatmeal” contains oat which relates to farm animals but the intended hidden word here is goat).
2. Old ladies began to bring him their pets. (an insect – bee is hidden in “began”) → Old ladies began to bring him their pets.
3. The author sees the connection between humans and animals. (a farm animal – ewe hidden in “sees”)
4. The three baby dinosaurs are from ice age. (field animal – ge? This is geese hidden in “ice age”)
5. The patients who came late didn’t know where to go. (ship of the desert – camel hidden in “came late”)

Final answers with underlined animals

1. Dr. Dolittle was eating oatgoatmeal for his breakfast. (goat)
2. Old ladies began to bring him their pets. (bee)
3. The author ewes the connection between humans and animals. (ewe)
4. The three baby dinosaurs are from ice age. (geese)
5. The patients who camelate didn’t know where to go. (camel)

IV Read the following sentence from the text. Study the highlighted words. But that stupid man over the hill never even looked at my eyes. The highlighted words spell and read the same backwards too.

A word, phrase, or sequence that reads the same backwards as forwards is a palindrome.

Read the sentences below and identify the palindrome words and sentences.

Ans: 

1. Step on no pets. → Whole sentence is a palindrome.
2. Naman saw a race car at the show. → Palindrome words/phrases: Naman, race car.
3. Nitin speaks in Malayalam. → Palindrome words: Nitin, Malayalam.
4. The engineer used a rotator to check the surface level. → Palindrome words: rotator, level.
5. The pilot relied on the radar to navigate safely. → Palindrome word: radar.
6. Eva can I see bees in a cave? → Whole sentence is a palindrome.

Some of the common palindromes include ‘Was it a car or a cat I saw?’, ‘Madam, I’m Adam’ and ‘A man, a plan, a canal—Panama’. Now , create your own palindrome and share it with your classmates and the teacher.

My palindrome: Never odd or even.

V Underline the verbs and identify the tense form in the following sentences from the text.

Ans: 

1. He is asking you a question. → Present continuous tense
2. Oh, there are plenty of animal doctors. → Present simple tense
3. I am going blind in one eye. → Present continuous tense
4. … the trouble is that anybody thinks he can doctor animals. → Present simple tense

VI Read the following sentences from the text.

Fill in the blanks using the correct form of verbs (present perfect) given within brackets.

Ans: 

Since becoming an animal doctor, Doctor Dolittle 1. has learned to communicate with all animals and birds. He 2. has treated countless farm animals and pets with care. The parrot, Polynesia, 3. has taught him bird-language, and he 4. has written books about his adventures. Many people 5. have brought their sick animals to his door. Over the years, Dolittle 6. has become renowned worldwide for his unique abilities.

Let us listen (Page 55)

I You will listen to an announcement. As you listen, state whether the following statement is true or false. (Transcript for the teacher on pg. 88) 

Ans: Dr. Dolittle’s new clinic presents an offer of free medicines.: False – The announcement does not mention any offer of free medicines.

II You will listen to the announcement again. As you listen, complete the details given below with one or two exact words you hear.

Ans: 

1. The new clinic is located in the town of Woodstock.
2. The address is 12, Rose Lane.
3. The clinic is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
4. Special timings for birds are on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
5. Dr. Dolittle will ensure that animals get the best care.
6. All animals—horses, cows, pets, wild animals, and others are welcome.

Let us write (Page 57)

A notice is a means of formal communication for a particular group of persons. It informs them about some important event, such as an invitation to a meeting, an announcement, to give instructions, make appeals, etc.

Write a notice in about 50 words about the Annual Health Check-up for students of Grades 6–8. Remind students to collect their health check-up cards from the class teacher. Include all other necessary details about date, time, and venue.

Ans: 

Name of the School
NOTICE

12 July 2025

Annual Health Check-up

This is to inform all the students of Grades 6–8 about the Annual Health Check-up.
Date: Thursday and Friday, 27 and 28 July 2025
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Venue: Assembly Hall

All students are requested to bring their health card for the check-up.
For queries or further details, please contact the undersigned.

Asma
In-charge

Let us explore (Page 58)

I The word ‘goshala’ translates to ‘cowshed’ in English. It is a Sanskrit word that is made up of the words ‘go’, which means ‘cow’, and śālā, which means ‘shed’ or ‘hall’.

Plan a visit with the teacher to a ‘goshala’ and find out how the cows are looked after.

Ans: 

During a visit to a goshala, you might observe that cows are given clean water, fresh fodder, and a hygienic shelter. They are regularly groomed, receive timely medical check-ups, and have enough space to move around. Many goshalas also take care of abandoned or injured cows.

II Ayurveda is the oldest existing medical system in India. Animals received good medicinal care in ancient India. Indian medical treatises like Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Harita Samhita contain references of care of animals. Find out names of different organisations that work for the welfare of animals with the help of the teacher.

Ans: 

Organisations Working for Animal Welfare in India

• PETA India (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)
• Blue Cross of India
• Friendicoes SECA
• The Bombay Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BSPCA)
• Animal Aid Unlimited
  

III What is the best way to take care of stray and abandoned animals?

1. Provide food and water for the animal

2. Take them to an animal shelter

3. Adopt them by taking them home

Give reasons for your responses.

Ans: 

Best Way to Take Care of Stray and Abandoned Animals

 I think taking them to an animal shelter is the best option. Shelters have trained staff, veterinary facilities, and safe environments for animals. They can provide long-term care, rehabilitation, and help the animals get adopted into loving homes, ensuring their safety and well-being.