Here is a new blog post in Class 7th English. “Dad and the Cat and the Tree” is Poem 7 taken from the newly introduced textbook Melody English for students of Class 7th of JKBOSE and Honeycomb English for NCERT students. This post concerns Fire Friend and Foe Chapter 8 Summary and Question Answers. In my previous post, you read about Dad and the Cat and the Tree Summary and Question Answers with you. So, let’s not waste any more time and get started with today’s post.
Fire Friend and Foe Chapter 8 Summary and Question Answers
Introduction
In this lesson, we see the powerful and dangerous aspect of fire. Fire is the result of a chemical reaction. Three things are needed to make a fire fuel, oxygen and heat. Any one of these things, if not present, can put the fire off. In case of oil fire and electrical fire, water should not be used. Fire is a good servant but a bad master. It is a necessary friend if kept under control.
Fire Friend and Foe Chapter Word Meaning
Word | English Meaning | Hindi Meaning | Urdu Meaning |
---|---|---|---|
Damaged | Destruction | क्षतिग्रस्त | نقصان پہنچا |
Volcanoes | Smelted rocks and gases escaping with great force from conical mountains, | ज्वालामुखी | آتش فشاں |
Frightened | Scared | डरा हुआ | خوفزدہ |
Puzzled | Perplexed | उलझा हुआ | متذبذب |
Fuel | Material for burning | ईंधन | ایندھن |
Smouldering | Burning in a suppressed manner | लपट के बिना जलनेवाला | لپٹ کے بغیر جلنے والا |
Generally | Usually | आम तौर पर | عام طور پر |
Flash point | Transient condition | जलने का बिदुं | فلیش پوائنٹ |
Instance | For example | उदाहरण | مثال |
Generate | Produce | उत्पन्न करना | پیدا کرنا |
Injured | Got hurt | घायल | زخمی |
Put out | Extinguished | बुझा हुआ | بجھا ہوا |
Supply to | Provide what is required | आपूर्ति | فراہم کرنا |
Smothered | Suppressed | दबाई हुई | دبائی ہوئی |
Extinguish | To put out (off), | बुझाना | بجھانا |
Flame | Blaze of fire | ज्वाला | آگ |
Sprayed | Sprinkled | छिड़का | چھڑکا |
Appliances | Equipments | उपकरण | آلات |
Electrical fire | Fire caused by electric short circuit etc. | बिजली के कारण लगी आग | بجلی کی وجہ سے لگی آگ |
Millions | Ten lakh | दस लाख | دس لاکھ |
Prevent | Stop | रोकना | روکنا |
Fire-men | Those who put out fire, | आग बुझाने वाले | آگ بھجانے والے |
Human chain | Chain formed by joining hands of men | मानव शृंखला | انسانی زنجیر |
Blaze | Flame | ज्वाला | شعلہ |
Ensure | To make sure | पक्का करना | اطمینان کرنا |
Reduce | Lessen | कम करना | گهٹانا |
Especially | Particularly | मुख्य रूप से | خاص طور پر |
Band | Group | गिरोह | گروه |
Fire brigade | A body of men trained for extinguishing fire | दमकल दल | فائر بریگیڈ |
Trained | Skilled | प्रशिक्षित | تربیت یافتہ |
First aid | Medical treatment given before the arrival of the doctor | प्राथमिक चिकित्सा | ابتدائی طبی امداد |
Gradually | Slowly | धीरे-धीरे | آہستہ آہستہ |
Adopt | Follow | अपनाना | اختیار کرنا |
Mode | Way | तरीका | انداز |
Fire Friend and Foe Summary in English
In ancient times, early humans were perplexed and frightened by fire, witnessing its destructive force through lightning and volcanic eruptions. Today, we understand that fire is the result of a chemical reaction involving oxygen, fuel (such as wood, coal, or gas), and heat. These three elements are crucial for fire to occur.
Fuel, found in substances like petrol and wood, provides the combustion material. Oxygen, present in the air, supports burning. Heat, typically initiated by a matchstick, is necessary to raise the fuel’s temperature to its ‘flash point’ or ‘kindling temperature,’ initiating the burning process.
The adage that “fire is a good servant but a bad master” emphasizes the importance of controlling fire. While it serves essential purposes like cooking, providing warmth, and generating electricity, uncontrolled fires can lead to devastating consequences, damaging homes, shops, and vast forest areas. Thousands of lives are lost or injured annually due to uncontrolled fires.
To extinguish a fire, three methods can be employed. Firstly, removing the fuel does not allow the fire a substance to burn. Secondly, blocking the supply of oxygen prevents the combustion process. Lastly, reducing the heat below the flash point extinguishes the fire. Water is commonly used for this purpose, but it may not be effective for oil and electrical fires. Fire extinguishers with carbon dioxide are more suitable in such cases.
The financial cost of fire prevention and control is significant, with millions spent each year. Continuous efforts focus on finding new ways to prevent and manage fires. Laws and regulations now govern building construction, ensuring fire safety measures are in place. Firefighters, skilled and brave individuals, form fire brigades equipped with special tools to combat fires. They are trained not only in fire control but also in providing first aid to the injured.
In ancient times, communities relied on human chains to transport water from wells or ponds to extinguish fires. Today, fire prevention norms are crucial in constructing new buildings, especially public spaces. Fire is also worshipped in certain cultures for protection.
In conclusion, while fire has become an integral part of our settled lifestyle, it demands respect and caution. Recognizing the potential dangers of uncontrolled fires, humanity has developed measures to harness fire’s benefits while minimizing its risks. Firefighters play a vital role in safeguarding communities, emphasizing that fire, though a friend, becomes a foe when unchecked.
Comprehension Check Page No. 118
Intext Exercises
- Mark the correct answer in each of the following.
(i) Early man was frightened of
(a) lightning and volcanoes
(b) the damage caused by them
(c) fire.
Ans. (c) fire.
(ii) (a) Fire is energy.
(b) Fire is heat and light.
(c) Fire is the result of a chemical reaction.
Ans. (c) Fire is the result of a chemical reaction.
- From the boxes given below choose the one with the correct order of the following sentences.
(i) That is fire
(ii) A chemical reaction takes place
(iii) Energy in the form of heat and light is released.
(iv) Oxygen combines with carbon and hydrogen.
(i) (ii) (iii) (iv)
(ii) (iii) (i) (iv)
(iv) (ii) (iii) (i)
(iv) (iii) (ii) (i)
Ans. (iv) (ii) (iii) (i)
Textual Exercises
Working with the Text Page No. 119
Answer the following questions:
1. What do you understand by the ‘flash point’ of a fuel?
Ans. The temperature at which it begins to burn is called the ‘flash point’ or ‘kindling temperature’ of a fuel. Every fuel has a particular temperature.
2. (i) What are some common uses of fire?
Ans. (i) Fire is commonly used for cooking our food, warming our homes during winter and generating electricity.
(ii) In what sense is it a “bad master”?
(ii) It is a bad master if it gets out of control it can cause damage to our life, house, property and forests etc. It burns the things which it engulfs.
- Match items in Column A with those in Column B.
A | B |
(i) fuel | lighted matchstick |
(ii) oxygen | air |
(iii) heat | coal |
burning coal | |
wood | |
smouldering paper | |
cooking gas |
Ans.
A | B |
(i) fuel | Coal, wood, cooking gas |
(ii) oxygen | air |
(iii) heat | lighted matchstick, burning coal, smouldering paper |
- What are the three main ways in which a fire can be controlled or put out?
Ans. Three things are needed to make a fire fuel, oxygen and heat. Fires are controlled by removing fuel, cutting off oxygen, or reducing heat. Eliminating combustibles, smothering with fire blankets, using extinguishing agents like water or chemicals, and creating barriers are key strategies. Effective firefighting combines these methods based on the fire’s nature and available resources to ensure swift and safe extinguishment.
- Match the items in Box A with those in Box B.
A
(i) To burn paper or a piece of wood
(ii) Small fires can be put out
(iii) When water is spread on fire
(iv) A carbon dioxide extinguisher is the best thing
(v) Space left between buildings
B
- it absorbs heat from the burning material and
- lowers the temperature.
- reduces the risk of fire.
- with a damp blanket.
- we heat it before it catches fire.
- to put out an electrical fire.
Ans. (i) To burn paper or a piece of wood — we heat it before it catches fire.
(ii) Small fires can be put out — with a damp blanket.
(iii) When water is spread on fire — it absorbs heat from the burning material and lowers the temperature.
(iv) A carbon dioxide extinguisher is the best thing — to put out an electrical fire.
(v) Space left between buildings — reduces the risk of fire.
- Why does a burning candle go out when you blow on it?
Ans. When we blow on a burning candle, we remove the hot air around the flame. This causes a fall in temperature below its flash point and the candle goes out.
- Spraying water is not a good way of putting out an oil fire or an electrical fire. Why not?
Ans. Spraying water is not a good way of putting out an oil fire or an electric fire. This is because, if water is sprayed on an oil fire, oil will come on the top layer of water and will continue burning. Also, water can carry burning oil with it thereby increasing the area of fire. Water should also not be used on fires caused by electrical appliances. The person spraying water might get an electric shock and get killed.
- What are some of the things you should do to prevent a fire at home and in the school?
Ans. At home, we can prevent a fire if all the electrical appliances are earthed and insulated. All electrical appliances must be kept far from flammable things like furniture, etc. In the school, training should be given to students on how to put out the fire. The school should also have fire extinguishers which should always be ready for use.
Working with Language Page No. 120
- Read the following sentences.
To burn paper or a piece of wood, we heat it before it catches fire. We generally do it with a lighted match. Every fuel has a particular temperature at which it burns.
The verbs in italics are in the simple present tense. When we use it, we are not thinking only about the present. We use it to say that something happens all the time or repeatedly, or that something is true in general.
Find ten examples of verbs in the simple present tense in the text ‘Fire: Friend and Foe’ and write them down here. Do not include any passive verbs.
Ans. 1. Fire is caused due to a chemical reaction.
- Oxygen responsible for fire comes from the air.
- We use it to cook our food, warm our homes in winter and to generate electricity.
- There are three main ways in which fire can be put out.
- Fire is a good servant but a bad master.
- The third way of putting out a fire is to remove heat.
- Fire accident is responsible for lot of destruction.
- We spend millions of rupees each year in fighting fire.
- When we blow on a burning match stick, we remove the hot air around the flame.
- Fire is extinguished using carbon dioxide fire extinguishers.
- Fill in the blanks in the sentences below with words from the box.
You may use a word more than once.
carbon, cause, fire, smother |
(i) Gandhiji’s life was devoted to the …………….. of justice and fair play.
(ii) Have you insured your house against …….?
(iii) Diamond is nothing but……. in its pure form.
(iv) If you put too much coal on the fire at once you will…………….. it.
(v) Smoking is said to be the main ………………… of heart disease
(vi) When asked by an ambitious writer whether he should put some ……………..into his stories, Somerset Maugham murmured, “No, the other way round”.
(vii) She is a……………..copy of her mother.
(viii) It is often difficult to……………..a yawn when you listen to a long speech on the value of time.
Ans.
(i) Gandhiji’s life was devoted to the cause of justice and fair play.
(ii) Have you insured your house against fire?
(iii) Diamond is nothing but carbon in its pure form.
(iv) If you put too much coal on the fire at once you will smother it.
(v) Smoking is said to be the main cause of heart disease
(vi) When asked by an ambitious writer whether he should put some fire into his stories, Somerset Maugham murmured, “No, the other way round”.
(vii) She is a carbon copy of her mother.
(viii) It is often difficult to smother a yawn when you listen to a long speech on the value of time.
- One word is italicised in each sentence. Find its opposite in the box and fill in the blanks.
spending shut destroy subtract increase |
(i) You were required to keep all the doors open, not……………..
(ii) PUPIL : What mark did I get in yesterday’s Maths test?
TEACHER. You got what you get when you add five and five and……………..ten from the total.
(iii) Run four kilometres a day to preserve your health. Run a lot more to ……………..it.
(iv) If a doctor advises a lean and lanky patient to reduce his weight further, be sure he is doing it to……………….. his income.
(v) The world is too much with us; late and soon, Getting and……………..we lay waste our powers. Wordsworth
Ans.
(i) You were required to keep all the doors open, not shut.
(ii) PUPIL : What mark did I get in yesterday’s Maths test?
TEACHER. You got what you get when you add five and five and subtract ten from the total.
(iii) Run four kilometres a day to preserve your health. Run a lot more to destroy it.
(iv) If a doctor advises a lean and lanky patient to reduce his weight further, be sure he is doing it to increase his income.
(v) The world is too much with us; late and soon, Getting and spending we lay waste our powers. Wordsworth
- Use the words given in the box to fill in the blanks in the sentences below.
across, along, past, through |
(i) The cat chased the mouse ….. the lawn.
(ii) We were not allowed to cross the frontier. So we drove ……………..it as far as we could and came back happy.
(iii) The horse went……………..the winning post and had to be stopped with difficulty.
(iv) It is not difficult to see……………..your plan. Anyone can see your motive.
(v) Go ……… the yellow line, then turn left. You will reach the post office in five minutes.
Ans.
(i) The cat chased the mouse across the lawn.
(ii) We were not allowed to cross the frontier. So we drove along it as far as we could and came back happy.
(iii) The horse went past the winning post and had to be stopped with difficulty.
(iv) It is not difficult to see through your plan. Anyone can see your motive.
(v) Go along the yellow line, then turn left. You will reach the post office in five minutes.
Speaking and Writing Page No. 122
- Look at the following three units. First, re-order the items in each unit to make a meaningful sentence. Next, re-order the sentences to make a meaningful paragraph. Use correct punctuation marks in the paragraph.
(i) and eighteen fire tenders struggled/the fire began on Mon-day/to douse the blaze till morning
(ii) in a major fire/over 25 shops/were gutted
(iii) but property/was destroyed/worth several lakhs/no casualties were reported.
Ans. (i) The fire began on Monday and eighteen fire tenders struggled to douse the blaze till morning.
(ii) Over 25 shops were gutted in a major fire.
(iii) No casualties were reported but property worth several lakhs was destroyed.
Paragraph: The fire began on Monday. Over 25 shops were gutted in a major fire. Till morning, eighteen fire tenders struggled to douse the blaze. No casualties were reported but property worth several lakhs was destroyed.
- Read the following newspaper report given in the box below.
Fire Station Goes Up in Flames A fire chief was embarrassed when a station without a smoke alarm went up in flames. The building and a fire engine were destroyed in the blaze. Nobody was injured in the fire that was tackled by 30 firefighters in six fire engines from neighbouring towns. |
Ans. For self-attempt. Read this interesting news and enjoy it.
That’s it about Fire Friend and Foe Chapter 8 Summary and Question Answers. Hope it has helped. Do share your views about this post in the comment section below.
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