Attitude, My English Reader, Class VII, DAV Board, The Best Solutions, Section- C

Section – C

C.1. We often plan things in advance and look forward to executing our plans. But many a time, things do not happen the way we want them to. Think of a day when everything went wrong. Give reasons about what spoilt the day.

(a) I missed my school bus because I woke up late and there was no electricity.
(b) When I finally reached school, I realized I had forgotten my homework and my class notes at home.
(c) During the science practical, I broke a test tube by accident and got scolded in front of the whole class.
(d) On the way back home, it started raining heavily, and I had no umbrella. I got completely drenched and caught a cold.

Describe how you felt at the end of the day:
I felt exhausted, frustrated, and a little sad. Everything seemed to go wrong that day. But when I thought about it later, I realized that not every day can be perfect — and I just had to learn from my mistakes and be better prepared next time.

C.2. Read the following situations. Discuss in groups of four what you would do in such situations.

Here’s how students might respond in a group discussion:

Encourage discussion about staying calm, not panicking, calling for help, and being aware of emergency services and first aid.

C.3. Richter 7.7! Gujarat Earthquake, January 26, 2001

Answer –  Read the clipping carefully.

English Summary: Courage Beyond Understanding

“Courage Beyond Understanding” is the inspiring real-life story of Krimali Joshi, a 17-year-old girl from Bhuj who showed extraordinary bravery during the devastating 2001 Gujarat earthquake. On the day of the earthquake, while preparing for a job interview, her building collapsed. Despite danger and fear, she climbed barefoot over sharp rubble, helped people escape, saved a baby, and even rescued a pregnant woman and her child. She made several rescue trips and helped save over two dozen lives. Krimali, humble and courageous, said she didn’t know where her strength came from — she just did what had to be done.

हिंदी सारांश:

“Courage Beyond Understanding” एक सच्ची और प्रेरणादायक कहानी है कृमाली जोशी की, जो भुज की रहने वाली एक 17 वर्षीय लड़की थी। 2001 में आए गुजरात भूकंप के दिन वह एक इंटरव्यू के लिए तैयार हो रही थीं जब उनका अपार्टमेंट गिर गया। कृमाली ने अपने डर को पीछे छोड़ते हुए नंगे पैर मलबे पर चढ़कर कई लोगों की जान बचाई। उन्होंने एक नवजात शिशु को बचाया, एक गर्भवती महिला और उसकी बेटी को निकाला, और कई बार मलबे में वापस जाकर लोगों की सहायता की। कृमाली ने 20 से अधिक लोगों को बचाया। अपनी बहादुरी के बावजूद, वह कहती हैं कि उन्हें नहीं पता कि यह साहस कहाँ से आया — बस जो जरूरी था, उन्होंने कर दिखाया।

Word Meanings Table :

MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions):

1. What was Krimali doing on the morning of the earthquake?
   a) Going to college
   b) Attending a wedding
   c) Preparing for a job interview ✅
   d) Going shopping
2. What happened to Krimali’s apartment building?
   a) It caught fire
   b) It collapsed in the earthquake ✅
   c) It flooded
   d) It was attacked
3. Why did the mother hesitate to throw the baby down to Krimali?
   a) She did not trust her
   b) She couldn’t see clearly
   c) She was afraid the baby would fall ✅
   d) She had no bed sheets
4. What did Krimali use to make a sliding board?
   a) A wooden stick
   b) A metal ladder
   c) A large door ✅
   d) A mattress
5. How many people did Krimali help save according to observers?
   a) Ten
   b) Twenty-four ✅
   c) Fifty
   d) Fifty-eight

Short Questions and Answers:

1. Q: Why did Krimali return home after leaving for her interview?
   A: She returned home because she felt something wasn’t right about her hair.
2. Q: What major danger was hanging in front of the only escape route?
   A: A huge concrete slab hanging at a 45-degree angle, which could fall at any time.
3. Q: How did Krimali save the baby?
   A: She convinced the mother to wrap the baby in bedsheets and throw her down. Krimali caught the baby safely.
4. Q: What shows Krimali’s courage during the rescue mission?
   A: She repeatedly entered the wrecked building barefoot, despite the risk of the slab collapsing, and saved more than two dozen people.
5. Q: What was Krimali’s attitude about her bravery afterward?
   A: She remained humble, saying she didn’t know where her courage came from and was just glad she could help.

C.4. On the basis of your understanding of the text, complete the following sentences.

(a) Krimali left the house to appear for an interview for the post of a salesgirl.
(b) The only escape route was blocked by a huge concrete slab hanging at a 45° angle.
(c) Krimali managed to reach the ground level by jumping carefully onto a couch among rubble.
(d) She saved the baby’s life by convincing the mother to wrap her in bed sheets and throw her down, and then catching her safely.
(e) Krimali used the portion of the large door to create a sliding board for people to come down.
(f) She had to dig to save the buried woman because the woman was trapped headfirst under rubble and couldn’t be pulled out easily.
(g) Krimali saved around two dozen people including men, women and children.

C.5. Give three points each to justify the given statements.

(a) The earthquake caused massive destruction.
(i) A four-storey building collapsed completely.
(ii) 58 people died in the Mangalam Apartments alone.
(iii) People were buried under rubble and trapped in debris.

(b) The concrete slab was a big obstacle.
(i) It blocked the only escape route.
(ii) It hung dangerously at a 45° angle and could fall any time.
(iii) Everyone was afraid to go near it except Krimali.

(c) Luck favoured Krimali.
(i) She jumped safely into a couch, missing sharp iron rods.
(ii) She managed to catch the baby without injury.
(iii) Despite going into the dangerous building repeatedly, she remained unharmed.

(d) Krimali led a successful rescue operation.
(i) She saved over 24 lives during the rescue.
(ii) She encouraged others and created a safe passage with a door.
(iii) She saved a baby, a pregnant woman, and several trapped residents.

C.6 HOTS

Would Krimali have recognised her inner strength had the earthquake not occurred? Share your views with your partner.

Probably not. Extraordinary situations often reveal hidden strengths. The earthquake gave Krimali a moment to act beyond fear. In normal circumstances, she might never have realised her ability to stay calm in crisis, make decisions quickly, and save lives. Tragedy tested her character — and she triumphed.

C.7. Values

‘People live for themselves. Their dominant impulse is to secure their own comfort and happiness. But true happiness lies in making others happy.’ Discuss in groups of four.

“People live for themselves. Their dominant impulse is to secure their own comfort and happiness. But true happiness lies in making others happy.”

In Krimali’s story, we see this value come alive. Despite danger to her own life, she risked everything for others. This proves that the joy of saving a baby, comforting a mother, or rescuing someone is far greater than living safely only for yourself.

C.8. The episode reveals a number of qualities of Krimali. Match the qualities as given in the Aid Box with the evidence picked up from the text.

C.9. The story presents many contradictory emotions, qualities and situations. Fill in the blanks with the antonyms of the words given below:

(a) Hope → Despair
(b) Cruel → Kind
(c) Sorrow → Joy
(d) Destruction → Construction
(e) Courageous → Cowardly
(f) Hysterical → Calm
(g) Humble → Proud
(h) Injured → Safe / Unhurt
(i) Death → Life

C.10. You are Mr Arvind Shah, the President of the Mangalam Apartments. Three months after the earthquake, you hold a meeting of the surviving residents of the Apartments to honour Krimali. Prepare the speech to be given on the occasion and speak it out in the class.

Speech by Mr. Arvind Shah:

Good morning everyone,

It gives me immense pride and gratitude to stand before you today. I am Arvind Shah, President of Mangalam Apartments, and today we gather here not just as survivors, but as witnesses of a miracle — a young girl named Krimali Joshi, who saved so many of us when we were helpless.

Krimali, just 17 at the time, showed courage that even trained professionals might hesitate to display. While we were surrounded by fear, confusion, and despair, she stepped forward — barefoot, with bleeding legs — and rescued more than two dozen people, including a baby, a pregnant woman, and many others.

Today, we honour not just a survivor, but a hero. As a token of our love, respect, and admiration, we present her with this award of bravery, and hope that her actions will inspire us all to be courageous and selfless in times of need.

Thank you, Krimali. We are proud of you.

C.11. The following newspaper report appeared in almost all National and International dailies on 27 January, 2001.

EARTHQUAKE ROCKS GUJARAT
By ABC Correspondent
27 January, Ahmedabad:
A devastating earthquake, measuring 7.7 on the Richter Scale, struck Gujarat at 8:46 a.m. on January 26, 2001, causing unimaginable damage and loss of life. Thousands have been reported dead, and many injured across the region.

Bhuj, the epicentre, suffered the worst. Entire buildings collapsed, roads cracked, and rescue operations are underway. The government and NGOs are working tirelessly to provide relief to survivors. Messages of sympathy are pouring in from leaders across the globe. The nation mourns, and yet stands united in its effort to rebuild and recover.

C.12. You are Pratibha Goswami, a correspondent of The Hindu. Write a report for the newspaper about a shop that caught fire. Three people have been killed in the fire and several injured. Property worth lakhs of rupees has been gutted.

THREE DEAD, SEVERAL INJURED IN SHOP FIRE
By Pratibha Goswami, Staff Correspondent, The Hindu
14 June 2025, Jaipur:
A major fire broke out in a clothing shop located in the busy Johari Bazaar yesterday evening at around 6:30 p.m., killing three people and injuring several others. Fire officials report that the cause was likely a short circuit.

As flames spread rapidly due to the presence of flammable materials, chaos erupted. Shopkeepers and customers ran out screaming, but several were trapped inside. Local residents and fire fighters battled the blaze for nearly two hours before it was brought under control.

Property worth lakhs of rupees has been completely destroyed. The injured have been shifted to SMS Hospital, and the police are investigating further. Authorities have urged all commercial complexes to strictly follow fire safety norms.