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Class 7 English Chapter 4 Animals, Birds, and Dr. Dolittle Notes & Book Solutions | Poorvi

Class 7 English Chapter 4 Animals, Birds, and Dr. Dolittle Notes and Book Solutions based on NCERT Poorvi. Get easy explanations, summary, word meanings and textbook answers for CBSE Class 7 English.

Class 7 English Poorvi Unit 2 – Animals, Birds, and Dr. Dolittle

Class 7 English Poorvi

Unit 2 – Wit and Humour

Animals, Birds, and Dr. Dolittle

Chapter Notes with Complete In-text Solutions

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Chapter Summary

Animals, Birds, and Dr. Dolittle is a humorous and interesting story by Hugh Lofting. It tells us about Doctor John Dolittle, a doctor who learns to understand and communicate with animals.

At first, Doctor Dolittle treats human patients. One day, the Cat’s-food-Man suggests that he should become an animal doctor because he knows a lot about animals. His parrot, Polynesia, supports the idea and tells him that animals have their own languages.

Polynesia teaches Doctor Dolittle the language of birds. He then learns that animals do not always communicate with their mouths. They can use their ears, feet, tails, noses and other body movements to communicate.

Doctor Dolittle becomes an animal doctor and soon animals from far and wide begin visiting him. A plough horse tells him that it needs spectacles because it is going blind in one eye. Doctor Dolittle gives the horse green spectacles and cures its problem.

As more animals discover that Doctor Dolittle can understand them, his garden becomes crowded. He makes separate doors for different animals. His fame spreads across the world, and animals come to him for treatment.

The story teaches us the importance of listening, understanding, kindness, observation and respecting animals. It also shows that sometimes a different viewpoint can lead to a wonderful change in life.

Central Idea: Doctor Dolittle becomes a successful animal doctor because he listens carefully, understands animals, observes their behaviour and treats every animal with care.
Parrot

Polynesia, the clever parrot, helps Doctor Dolittle understand animal language.

Important Characters

CharacterRole
Doctor John DolittleA kind and intelligent doctor who learns to communicate with animals.
PolynesiaA clever parrot who teaches Doctor Dolittle the language of birds and animals.
Cat’s-food-ManThe man who suggests that Doctor Dolittle should become an animal doctor.
Plough HorseAn animal with a vision problem that asks Doctor Dolittle for help.
JipDoctor Dolittle’s dog whose behaviour helps explain animal communication.

New Words and Meanings

scholar
A learned person
vets
Veterinarians; doctors for animals
cracker
A thin, dry biscuit
countryside
Rural area
cellar
A room below ground level
veterinarian
An animal doctor
spectacles
Glasses
stomach-ache
Pain in the stomach
plough
To turn and prepare soil for farming
diagnose
To identify an illness or problem

Let us do these activities before we read

I

Do you have a pet or a domestic animal? If yes, why? If not, why not? How do people usually spend time with a pet or domestic animal? Share your thoughts with your classmates and the teacher.
Sample Answer: Yes, I have a pet. I like spending time with it, playing with it and taking care of it.

II

You must have read stories where animals and birds talk. If you had a chance to communicate with an animal or a bird, who would you like to speak to and why? Share your thoughts with your classmates and the teacher.
Sample Answer: I would like to speak to a dog because dogs are friendly and loyal.

III

If we closely observe the body language of animals and birds, we can understand what they want to tell us. Work in pairs and study the pictures given below. Find out what emotions these animals and birds are trying to convey. Share your observations with your classmates and the teacher.

1. ______________________________
2. ______________________________
3. ______________________________
4. ______________________________
Sample Answer: Animals may show happiness, fear, anger, excitement or sadness through their body movements, eyes, ears and tails.
Think: Animals may communicate without speaking. Their body language can give us important clues about their feelings.

Let us read – Part I

What happens first?

Doctor Dolittle is sitting in his kitchen with the Cat’s-food-Man. The man suggests that Doctor Dolittle should become an animal doctor because he understands animals very well.

Polynesia, the parrot, agrees with the idea. She tells Doctor Dolittle that animals have their own language.

Polynesia explains that parrots can speak two languages: people’s language and bird language. She teaches Doctor Dolittle some bird words.

Doctor Dolittle becomes very excited and begins writing the bird language in a book. Later, Polynesia explains that animals can communicate through their ears, feet, tails, noses and other body movements.

Doctor Dolittle learns animal language so well that he can understand animals. He then gives up being a people’s doctor and becomes an animal doctor.

Let us discuss

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 ______________________________________________________.
  1. earns less fee by treating human patients
  2. enjoys the company of animals as they speak less
  3. dislikes spending time with human patients
  4. knows more about animals than the local veterinarians
Solution: 4. knows more about animals than the local veterinarians.

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

Doctor Dolittle reacts to Polynesia’s information about animal languages with both excitement and ____________ (certainty/curiosity). He rushes to ____________ (write/memorise) the bird words she provides and is interested in learning more.
Solution: curiosity; write.

III

Do you think Doctor Dolittle would be famous as an animal doctor? If yes, why? If not, why not?
Solution: Yes. He would become famous because he can understand animals and treat their problems.

Let us read – Part II

After people learn that Doctor Dolittle has become an animal doctor, they begin bringing their pets and farm animals to him.

A plough horse tells Doctor Dolittle that it is going blind in one eye and needs spectacles. The previous veterinarian had not understood the horse’s problem.

Doctor Dolittle gives the horse a pair of green spectacles. The horse’s eyesight improves. Soon many farm animals are seen wearing glasses around Puddleby.

Animals begin telling other animals about Doctor Dolittle. Soon horses, cows, dogs, mice, badgers, bats and many other animals visit him.

Doctor Dolittle makes separate doors for different animals. He even makes a tiny tunnel for mice.

His fame spreads around the world through birds that travel to other countries. He becomes famous among animals and is very happy with his life.

Let us discuss

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

  1. Humans talking to farm animals
  2. Farm animals wearing glasses
  3. Farm animals learning bird language
  4. Birds riding atop farm animals
Solution: 2. Farm animals wearing glasses.

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

1. How might he overcome these challenges to ensure that he provides good treatment?
Solution: He might face overcrowding and lack of time. He can make separate arrangements, organise animals and give each one proper attention.

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.

1. Doctor Dolittle decides to stop being a doctor for people and becomes a doctor for animals.

2. Animals from near and far come to Doctor Dolittle for help, crowding his garden.

3. A man with a stomach-ache visits Doctor Dolittle and suggests he should treat animals instead of people. (i)

4. Polynesia teaches Doctor Dolittle animal languages, and he starts understanding and communicating with animals.

5. A plough horse with vision problems visits Doctor Dolittle, who prescribes green spectacles, to improve the horse’s eyesight.

6. The parrot, Polynesia, encourages Doctor Dolittle to become an animal doctor, revealing that animals can talk. (ii)

7. Doctor Dolittle installs special doors for different animals to enter his house for treatment.

8. Doctor Dolittle’s ability to communicate with animals helps him diagnose and treat their illnesses effectively.

9. Doctor Dolittle gains fame among animals worldwide, and they come to him from various places for his help.

10. Word spreads, and people start bringing their sick pets and farm animals to Doctor Dolittle for treatment.

Solution: 3 (i), 6 (ii), 4, 1, 10, 5, 8, 2, 7, 9.

Let us think and reflect

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

“If I say, ‘Polly wants a cracker’, you understand me. But hear this: Ka-ka 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

Solution: B. gosh.
(ii) Why had Polynesia never used bird language with the Doctor earlier?
Solution: Because Doctor Dolittle could not understand bird language earlier.
(iii) Identify whether the following statement is true or false.

Polynesia had been munching on a food item while talking to Doctor Dolittle.

Solution: True.
(iv) How did Doctor Dolittle feel according to the extract?

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

Solution: B. surprised.

Extract 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

Solution: ploughing.
(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

Solution: C. understanding.
(iii) Complete the sentence with an appropriate reason.

Based on the extract, we can conclude that doctors take animals for granted because ______________.

Solution: animals cannot speak to them clearly about their problems.
(iv) Do you agree with the concluding sentence of the extract? Why/why not?
Solution: Yes. An animal doctor needs special knowledge and must understand animals carefully.

II Answer the following questions.

1. How can we say that Polynesia was a good trainer of animal language?
Solution: She patiently taught Doctor Dolittle bird language and explained how animals communicate.
2. Explain how Doctor Dolittle gave equal and individual attention to each animal who came to him for treatment.
Solution: He listened to each animal, understood its problem and made separate arrangements for different kinds of animals.
3. How does Doctor Dolittle’s readiness to follow the parrot’s advice highlight the importance of listening to different viewpoints?
Solution: He listened to Polynesia and discovered a new way to help animals. This shows that good ideas can come from anyone.
4. Which qualities of Doctor Dolittle made him famous among the animals? Explain with evidence from the text.
Solution: He was kind, caring, observant and willing to learn. He understood animals and treated their problems successfully.
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?
Solution: People would understand animals better, protect them more carefully and reduce animal suffering.

Let us learn

I Read the following words from the text.

Cat’s-food-Man, bird language, flowerpots

Are all the words that are combined to form another word written the same way?

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, open compound words and closed compound words.
Hyphenated WordsOpen Compound WordsClosed Compound Words
check-inbird languageflowerpots
plough-horsesailor songteatime
well-bredharvest micewindowsill

Complete the following table correctly by choosing words from the box given below.

sailor song   teatime   check-in   plough horse   harvest mice   windowsill   well-bred
Solution:
Hyphenated: check-in, plough-horse, well-bred
Open: sailor song, plough horse, harvest mice
Closed: teatime, windowsill

II Create compound words from the table given below.

AB
1. fun(i) head
2. high(ii) birds
3. never(iii) flying
4. early(iv) loving
5. song(v) risers
6. over(vi) tops
7. tree(vii) ending
Solutions:
1. fun-loving
2. high-flying
3. never-ending
4. early risers
5. songbirds
6. over-the-tops
7. treetops

Complete the paragraph with suitable compound words from the table.

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

III Underline the names of animals that are hidden in the sentences given below.

1. Dr. Dolittle was eating oatmeal for his breakfast. (a farm animal)
Answer: goat
2. Old ladies began to bring him their pets. (an insect)
Answer: ant
3. The author sees the connection between humans and animals. (a farm animal)
Answer: hen
4. The three baby dinosaurs are from ice age. (field animal)
Answer: rat
5. The patients who came late didn’t know where to go. (ship of the desert)
Answer: camel

IV Palindromes

A word, phrase, or sequence that reads the same backwards as forwards is called a palindrome.
Read the sentences below and identify the palindrome words and sentences.
  1. Step on no pets.
  2. Naman saw a race car at the show.
  3. Nitin speaks in Malayalam.
  4. The engineer used a rotator to check the surface level.
  5. The pilot relied on the radar to navigate safely.
  6. Eva can I see bees in a cave?
Solutions:
1. Step on no pets – palindrome sentence.
2. race car – palindrome phrase.
3. Nitin, Malayalam – palindrome words.
4. rotator – palindrome word.
5. radar – palindrome word.
6. Eva, see bees, a cave – palindrome words/phrases.
Now, create your own palindrome and share it with your classmates and the teacher.
Sample: Madam.

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

1. He is asking you a question.
Verb: is asking — Present Continuous Tense
2. Oh, there are plenty of animal doctors.
Verb: are — Simple Present Tense
3. I am going blind in one eye.
Verb: am going — Present Continuous Tense
4. … the trouble is that anybody thinks he can doctor animals.
Verbs: is, thinks, can doctor — Simple Present Tense

VI Present Perfect Tense

Structure: has / have + V3 (past participle)

The present perfect tense can show a recently completed action, an action that began in the past and is still relevant, or a past action whose result is important now.
Fill in the blanks using the correct form of verbs (present perfect) given within brackets.

Since becoming an animal doctor, Doctor Dolittle 1. _________ (learn) to communicate with all animals and birds. He 2. _________ (treat) countless farm animals and pets with care. Since the parrot, Polynesia, 3. _________ (teach) him bird-language, and he 4. _________ (write) books about his adventures. Many people 5. _________ (bring) their sick animals to his door. Over the years, Dolittle 6. _________ (become) renowned worldwide for his unique abilities.

Answers:
1. has learned
2. has treated
3. has taught
4. has written
5. have brought
6. has become

Let us listen

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)

Dr. Dolittle’s new clinic presents an offer of free medicines.

Answer: Listen to the teacher’s announcement and mark True or False.

II

You will listen to the announcement again. As you listen, complete the details given below with one or two exact words you hear.
  1. The new clinic is located in the town of ______________.
  2. The address is 12, ______________ Lane.
  3. The clinic is open Monday to Friday from ______________ a.m. to 5 p.m.
  4. Special timings for ______________ are on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  5. Dr. Dolittle will ensure that animals get the ______________.
  6. All animals—horses, cows, ______________, wild animals, and others are welcome.
Answer: The exact answers depend on the listening announcement/transcript given to the teacher on page 88.

Let us speak

Conversation between a doctor and a patient

Problem 1: Cough and cold

Solution: Ginger and honey mix

Additional Advice: Drink warm fluids and rest.

Problem 2: Dry lips

Solution: Apply ghee

Additional Advice: Stay hydrated and avoid wetting your lips.

Problem 3: Sore throat

Solution: Gargle with warm salt water.

Additional Advice: Drink herbal teas and avoid cold drinks.

Problem 4: Fatigue

Solution: Ensure adequate sleep and a balanced diet.

Additional Advice: Take short walks to increase energy levels.

Cue Cards

DoctorPatient
Greet the patientRespond to the greeting
Enquire about the problemTell your problem
Ask about symptomsDescribe the symptoms
Make a diagnosis and give solutionAsk for clarification
Provide additional adviceAcknowledge the information and ask about the next appointment
Share details of next appointmentExpress agreement and thank the doctor
Sample Dialogue:

Doctor: Good morning. What is the problem?
Patient: Good morning, Doctor. I have a cough and cold.
Doctor: How long have you had these symptoms?
Patient: Since yesterday.
Doctor: Take a ginger and honey mix. Drink warm fluids and take proper rest.
Patient: Thank you, Doctor. When should I come again?
Doctor: Come again if the symptoms do not improve.
Patient: Thank you, Doctor.

Let us write

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.

Complete the draft of the notice by using the words and phrases given in the box below.

inform   queries   health card   health check-up   assembly hall   Grades 6–8   please contact   Thursday and Friday

Name of the School

NOTICE

12 July 20XX

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 20XX

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
Asma
In-charge

Remember to:
  • Use formal language in third person.
  • Mention the reason for writing the notice.
  • Include important details such as date, time, venue and contact person.
  • Write the notice inside a box.

Let us explore

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.

Sample Points to Observe:
  • Clean drinking water
  • Proper food
  • Clean shelter
  • Medical care
  • Safe and kind treatment

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.
Sample Answer: Animal welfare organisations include Animal Welfare Board of India, People for Animals and Blue Cross organisations.

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.
Sample Answer: The best choice depends on the situation. We should provide food and water immediately, and when possible take the animal to a safe shelter or adopt it responsibly.

Quick Revision

QuestionAnswer
Who wrote the story?Hugh Lofting
Who was Polynesia?A clever parrot
What did Polynesia teach Doctor Dolittle?Animal and bird language
Why did Doctor Dolittle become an animal doctor?He learned that animals had their own language and he could understand them.
What did the plough horse need?Green spectacles
Why did animals come to Doctor Dolittle?He could understand and treat them.
What was special about his clinic?It had separate entrances for different animals.
What is the main message?Listen, observe, care and respect animals.

Key Takeaways

1. Listening: Good ideas can come from unexpected sources.
2. Observation: Animals communicate through body language.
3. Kindness: Animals need care, patience and respect.
4. Learning: Doctor Dolittle was willing to learn something new.
5. Humour: The talking animals and the spectacles of farm animals make the story funny and enjoyable.
Great Work!
Listen carefully, observe closely, learn from others and always be kind to animals.

Practise Class 7 English Chapter 4 with this easy NCERT Poorvi worksheet. Includes important questions and revision exercises to help students understand the chapter and prepare for tests and exams.

CLASS 7 • ENGLISH • POORVI

Chapter 4-Dr Dolittle

Class 7 English Chapter 4 worksheet
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