Class 7 | Chapter 11 | A Courageous Act

 

CLASS 7 ENGLISH READER-II • LESSON 11

A COURAGEOUS ACT

A Story of Courage, Kindness and Helping Others

Read • Understand • Click & Learn • Listen • Practise • Think • Create

📖 Reading 🖱️ Click & Learn 🔊 Listen 🇮🇳 हिन्दी अर्थ 🧠 Comprehension 📚 Vocabulary ✍️ Grammar 🌊 Life Skills

🌟 Learning Goals

🇬🇧 By the end of this chapter...

• You will understand how Gayatri helped people during a flood.
• You will learn important words and phrases from the story.
• You will practise comprehension questions.
• You will learn synonyms.
• You will practise a lot of, a little and a few.
• You will think about courage and helping others.

🇮🇳 हम क्या सीखेंगे?

• हम समझेंगे कि Gayatri ने flood के समय लोगों की कैसे मदद की।
• हम story के important words और phrases सीखेंगे।
• हम comprehension questions का अभ्यास करेंगे।
• हम synonyms सीखेंगे।
• हम a lot of, a little और a few का प्रयोग सीखेंगे।
• हम courage और दूसरों की मदद करने के बारे में सोचेंगे।

🌊 Story Preview

It is Sunday and the school is closed. Gayatri is excited because she is going fishing in the sea with her father.

But a cyclone is expected to hit the village. The situation soon becomes dangerous, and the village is flooded.

Gayatri does not simply wait for help. She decides to help the people around her.

सरल हिन्दी में

रविवार को school बंद है और Gayatri अपने पिता के साथ समुद्र में fishing करने जाने के लिए excited है। लेकिन गाँव में cyclone आने वाला है। जल्द ही स्थिति गंभीर हो जाती है और गाँव में flood आ जाता है।

Gayatri केवल मदद का इंतजार नहीं करती। वह आसपास के लोगों की मदद करने का निर्णय लेती है।

📖 Let Us Read

It was Sunday and the school was closed . Gayatri was very excited . She was going fishing in the sea with her father.

Gayatri's father was a fisherman . Everyday he went out fishing to the sea. He had promised Gayatri that he would teach her fishing. She wanted to take up her father's profession when she would grow up.

🇮🇳 हिन्दी अर्थ

रविवार का दिन था और school बंद था। Gayatri बहुत excited थी। वह अपने पिता के साथ समुद्र में fishing करने जा रही थी। Gayatri के पिता एक fisherman थे। वे हर दिन समुद्र में fishing करने जाते थे। उन्होंने Gayatri से वादा किया था कि वे उसे fishing सिखाएँगे। Gayatri बड़ी होकर अपने पिता का profession अपनाना चाहती थी।

As Gayatri was trying her shoelaces , she heard a news broadcast on radio. A cyclonic storm was expected to hit the village within the next twenty four hours.

She knew that the cyclone would bring strong wind , heavy rains and high tides in the sea. It would topple the trees, damage the houses and cause flood .

She rushed outside to warn her father. Both of them heard the loud clap of thunder . Big drops of rain started falling. They could see the waves of the sea rising higher and higher.

🇮🇳 हिन्दी अर्थ

जब Gayatri अपने shoelaces बाँध रही थी, तभी उसने radio पर news broadcast सुना। अगले चौबीस घंटों में गाँव में एक cyclonic storm आने की संभावना थी। उसे पता था कि cyclone से तेज हवाएँ, भारी बारिश और समुद्र में ऊँची लहरें आएँगी। इससे पेड़ गिर सकते थे, घरों को नुकसान हो सकता था और flood आ सकता था। वह अपने पिता को चेतावनी देने के लिए बाहर दौड़ी। दोनों ने thunder की तेज आवाज सुनी। बारिश की बड़ी-बड़ी बूँदें गिरने लगीं और समुद्र की लहरें लगातार ऊँची होती दिखाई दीं।

It was late in the evening. The cyclone had hit the area. It had been raining continuously . Flood water had already entered Gayatri's house.

She had placed all the small household items like food, articles, utensils , candles and matchboxes and other articles on beds, tables and chairs.

By the morning a lot of water had entered the house.

🇮🇳 हिन्दी अर्थ

शाम देर हो चुकी थी। Cyclone उस area में आ चुका था और लगातार बारिश हो रही थी। Flood का पानी Gayatri के घर में पहले ही प्रवेश कर चुका था। उसने food, utensils, candles, matchboxes और अन्य छोटी household चीजों को beds, tables और chairs पर रख दिया था। सुबह तक घर में बहुत सारा पानी भर चुका था।

After an uncomfortable night , Gayatri went to her terrace and looked around. The entire area was submerged in water. Only a few houses could be seen.

Little huts near her house could not be seen due to flood. The homeless people were sitting on tree stumps and at other places which were not submerged.

Gayatri thought that she should do something. She swam towards the boat lying outside her house. She rowed powerfully towards the marooned people.

🇮🇳 हिन्दी अर्थ

एक असुविधाजनक रात के बाद Gayatri अपनी terrace पर गई और चारों ओर देखा। पूरा area पानी में डूबा हुआ था। केवल कुछ घर दिखाई दे रहे थे। उसके घर के पास की छोटी झोपड़ियाँ flood के कारण दिखाई नहीं दे रही थीं। बेघर लोग पेड़ों के ठूँठों और ऐसी जगहों पर बैठे थे जो पानी में नहीं डूबी थीं। Gayatri ने सोचा कि उसे कुछ करना चाहिए। वह अपने घर के बाहर पड़ी boat की ओर तैरकर गई और फँसे हुए लोगों की ओर पूरी ताकत से नाव चलाने लगी।

She helped them board the boat and rowed to the town hall. There they were received by the district authorities .

Then she returned home and requested her mother to give her some clothes, food, matchboxes and candles.

She packed them in a waterproof bag and returned to the town hall. She handed over the materials to the supervisor of the temporary shelter who distributed them to the people.

They felt warm and happy. Gayatri was happy too that she could do a little to help them. She had helped her neighbours in their hour of need.

🇮🇳 हिन्दी अर्थ

उसने लोगों को boat में चढ़ने में मदद की और उन्हें town hall तक ले गई। वहाँ district authorities ने उनका स्वागत किया। फिर वह घर लौटी और अपनी माँ से कुछ clothes, food, matchboxes और candles माँगे। उसने इन चीजों को waterproof bag में रखा और town hall वापस गई। उसने materials temporary shelter के supervisor को दे दिए, जिन्होंने उन्हें लोगों में बाँट दिया। लोगों को गर्माहट और खुशी महसूस हुई। Gayatri भी खुश थी कि वह उनकी थोड़ी मदद कर सकी। उसने जरूरत के समय अपने neighbours की मदद की थी।

In the hour of crisis most people ask for help
but courageous people render help to others.

संकट की घड़ी में अधिकांश लोग मदद माँगते हैं, लेकिन साहसी लोग दूसरों की मदद करते हैं।

📚 New Words / Phrases

fisherman

/ˈfɪʃəmən/

a person who catches fish

मछुआरा

The fisherman went out to sea.

cyclone

/ˈsaɪkləʊn/

a violent rotating storm

चक्रवात

A cyclone can bring strong winds.

expected

/ɪkˈspektɪd/

thought likely to happen

अपेक्षित

high tide

/haɪ taɪd/

a rise in sea level

ज्वार

flood

/flʌd/

overflow of water

बाढ़

topple

/ˈtɒpəl/

fall or make something fall

गिर पड़ना / गिराना

rowed

/rəʊd/

moved a boat with oars

चप्पुओं से नाव चलायी

marooned

/məˈruːnd/

left stranded in a place

किसी स्थान पर अवरुद्ध

authorities

/ɔːˈθɒrətiz/

people responsible for official control

प्राधिकारी

temporary

/ˈtemprəri/

lasting for a short time

अस्थायी

submerged

/səbˈmɜːdʒd/

covered completely by water

पानी में डूबा हुआ

request

/rɪˈkwest/

ask politely

अनुरोध करना

🖱️ Click & Learn — Maximum Practical Words

Click the highlighted words in the story to learn their pronunciation, Hindi meaning and use.

Story में नीले highlighted words पर click करके उनका pronunciation, हिन्दी meaning और use सीखिए।

fisherman • fishing • promised • profession • excited • cyclone • expected • strong wind • heavy rains • high tides • topple • damage • flood • continuously • household items • utensils • submerged • homeless • swam • rowed • marooned • authorities • requested • waterproof bag • temporary shelter • courageous • crisis • help • neighbours

🧠 Comprehension Questions

Answer the following questions in complete sentences.

नीचे दिए गए questions के answers complete sentences में लिखिए।

1. What was the profession of Gayatri's father and what did he promise her?

Gayatri's father was a fisherman. He promised her that he would teach her fishing.

Gayatri के पिता एक मछुआरे थे। उन्होंने Gayatri से वादा किया था कि वे उसे fishing सिखाएँगे।

2. Why was Gayatri excited?

Gayatri was excited because she was going fishing in the sea with her father.

Gayatri excited थी क्योंकि वह अपने पिता के साथ समुद्र में fishing करने जा रही थी।

3. What was the news broadcast on the radio?

The radio broadcast said that a cyclonic storm was expected to hit the village within the next twenty four hours.

Radio पर बताया गया कि अगले चौबीस घंटों में एक cyclonic storm गाँव से टकराने वाला था।

4. How did Gayatri save her household items from flood?

She placed small household items such as food, utensils, candles and matchboxes on beds, tables and chairs so that they remained above the flood water.

उसने food, utensils, candles और matchboxes जैसी छोटी household चीजों को beds, tables और chairs पर रख दिया ताकि वे flood के पानी से ऊपर रहें।

5. How did Gayatri help the people trapped in the flood?

Gayatri swam to the boat, rowed towards the marooned people, helped them board the boat and took them to the town hall. Later she brought clothes, food, matchboxes and candles and gave them to the temporary shelter supervisor for distribution.

Gayatri तैरकर boat तक गई, marooned लोगों के पास नाव लेकर पहुँची, उन्हें boat में चढ़ाया और town hall तक ले गई। बाद में वह clothes, food, matchboxes और candles लेकर आई और उन्हें temporary shelter के supervisor को दे दिया, ताकि वे लोगों में बाँटे जा सकें।

🔤 Word Power — Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the words given in the box.

Box में दिए गए words की सहायता से blanks भरिए।

toppled • rowed • submerged • shelter • utensils

a. The town was by the flood water.

b. Anu the boat to shore.

c. The earthquake the building.

d. The servant washed all the of the kitchen.

e. Human beings need food, clothing and .

a. submerged
b. rowed
c. toppled
d. utensils
e. shelter

a. submerged — पानी में डूबा हुआ
b. rowed — चप्पुओं से नाव चलाई
c. toppled — गिरा दिया
d. utensils — बर्तन
e. shelter — आश्रय

🔄 Language Practice — Synonyms

What are synonyms?

Synonyms are words that are similar in meaning.

Synonyms वे words होते हैं जिनके meanings समान या लगभग समान होते हैं।

Examples: kind — generous
boy — lad

Write synonyms

a. profession —

b. request —

c. sea —

d. damage —

a. profession — occupation
b. request — ask
c. sea — ocean
d. damage — harm

a. profession — occupation — व्यवसाय
b. request — ask — अनुरोध करना / पूछना
c. sea — ocean — समुद्र
d. damage — harm — नुकसान / हानि

📘 Grammar in Context — A Lot Of, A Little & A Few

🟣 A lot of

We use a lot of to indicate a large amount or number of people, animals or things.

A lot of का प्रयोग बड़ी मात्रा या बड़ी संख्या बताने के लिए किया जाता है।

There are a lot of animals in the zoo.

🔵 A little

We use a little to mean a small amount or quantity. It is used with uncountable nouns.

A little का प्रयोग थोड़ी मात्रा के लिए होता है। यह uncountable nouns के साथ प्रयोग होता है।

It rained a little.

🟢 A few

We use a few to mean a small number. It is used with countable nouns.

A few का प्रयोग थोड़ी संख्या बताने के लिए होता है। यह countable nouns के साथ प्रयोग होता है।

I have a few friends in Delhi.

🧩 Build Sentences — A Lot Of

Make sentences using the table below.

Beginning	Quantity	Ending
There is / There are	a lot of	animals in the zoo.
There is / There are	a lot of	water in that jug.
There is / There are	a lot of	books in our library.
There is / There are	a lot of	sugar in the box.

🎯 Fill in the blanks — A Few or A Little

a. Aditya has Choose a few a little story books.

b. There is Choose a few a little milk left in the glass.

c. They had Choose a few a little time.

d. Choose A few A little people like cooking.

e. I have to revise Choose a few a little lessons.

f. Choose A few A little members are coming today.

g. My house is Choose a few a little away from here.

a. a few
b. a little
c. a little
d. A few
e. a few
f. A few
g. a little

a. a few — कुछ story books
b. a little — थोड़ी milk
c. a little — थोड़ा time
d. A few — कुछ लोग
e. a few — कुछ lessons
f. A few — कुछ members
g. a little — थोड़ी दूरी

🎯 Grammar Challenge

Choose the correct expression.

सही expression चुनिए।

1. There is ______ water in the glass. a little a few

2. I have ______ books on floods. a little a few

3. There are ______ people in the shelter. a lot of a little

4. She needs ______ food. a little a few

1. a little
2. a few
3. a lot of
4. a little

1. a little — थोड़ी मात्रा
2. a few — कुछ books
3. a lot of — बहुत सारे लोग
4. a little — थोड़ा food

✅ True or False

1. Gayatri's father was a fisherman. Choose True False

2. Gayatri ignored the people trapped by the flood. Choose True False

3. A cyclone was expected to hit the village. Choose True False

4. Gayatri took the marooned people to the town hall. Choose True False

5. Gayatri packed the relief materials in a waterproof bag. Choose True False

1. True
2. False
3. True
4. True
5. True

1. सही
2. गलत
3. सही
4. सही
5. सही

🔢 Put the Events in Order

Arrange these events according to the story.

कहानी के अनुसार घटनाओं को सही क्रम में लगाइए।

1. Gayatri helped the marooned people reach the town hall.
2. A cyclone warning was broadcast on the radio.
3. Gayatri packed relief materials in a waterproof bag.
4. Flood water entered the house.
5. Gayatri went fishing with her father was planned.

Write the correct order using numbers.

Correct order: 5, 2, 4, 1, 3

सही क्रम: 5, 2, 4, 1, 3

🌟 Character Study — Gayatri

💪

Courageous

साहसी

❤️

Helpful

मददगार

🧠

Alert

सतर्क

🤝

Caring

देखभाल करने वाली

🧠 Think & Reflect

Why do you think Gayatri decided to help the people?

आपके विचार में Gayatri ने लोगों की मदद करने का निर्णय क्यों लिया?

Gayatri cared about the people around her. She understood that they were in trouble and decided to use her courage and ability to help them.

Gayatri आसपास के लोगों की परवाह करती थी। उसने समझा कि वे मुसीबत में हैं और उसने अपने साहस और क्षमता का उपयोग उनकी मदद करने के लिए किया।

What can we learn from Gayatri's action?

Gayatri के कार्य से हमें क्या सीख मिलती है?

We should remain brave during difficult situations and help others whenever we can.

हमें कठिन परिस्थितियों में साहसी बने रहना चाहिए और जब भी संभव हो दूसरों की मदद करनी चाहिए।

🌈 Life Skills — Disaster Preparedness

Before a Flood / Cyclone

• Listen to official warnings.
• Keep important items safe and dry.
• Keep food, water and emergency materials ready.
• Stay alert and follow instructions.

बाढ़ / चक्रवात से पहले

• Official warnings को ध्यान से सुनें।
• Important सामान को सुरक्षित और सूखी जगह रखें।
• Food, water और emergency सामान तैयार रखें।
• सतर्क रहें और instructions का पालन करें।

🗣️ Speaking Practice

Speak for One Minute

Talk about: “A courageous person I know.”

विषय: “एक साहसी व्यक्ति जिसे मैं जानता/जानती हूँ।”

✍️ Creative Writing

🌊 Imagine You Are in a Flood

Imagine that you are in the same situation as Gayatri. Write 6–8 sentences about what you would do to help others.

कल्पना कीजिए कि आप Gayatri जैसी स्थिति में हैं। दूसरों की मदद करने के लिए आप क्या करेंगे? 6–8 sentences लिखिए।

If I were in a flood, I would first stay calm and listen to the instructions of the authorities. I would keep my family safe. If it were possible and safe, I would help people who needed assistance. I would share food and water with people in need. I would also help children and elderly people. I would never take unnecessary risks. I would try to be brave and helpful.

अगर मैं flood में होता/होती, तो सबसे पहले शांत रहता/रहती और authorities के instructions सुनता/सुनती। मैं अपने परिवार को सुरक्षित रखता/रखती। अगर संभव और सुरक्षित होता, तो मैं जरूरतमंद लोगों की मदद करता/करती। मैं जरूरतमंद लोगों के साथ food और water share करता/करती। मैं बच्चों और बुजुर्गों की भी मदद करता/करती। मैं अनावश्यक risk नहीं लेता/लेती। मैं साहसी और मददगार बनने की कोशिश करता/करती।

🧠 HOTS — Think Deeper

Was Gayatri courageous simply because she was not afraid? Or was there something more important?

क्या Gayatri केवल इसलिए courageous थी क्योंकि वह नहीं डरी? या उसके courage में कुछ और भी महत्वपूर्ण था?

Gayatri's courage was more than simply not being afraid. She understood the danger but still decided to help people in need. Her courage was connected with care, responsibility and action.

Gayatri का courage केवल डर न होने तक सीमित नहीं था। वह खतरे को समझती थी, फिर भी उसने जरूरतमंद लोगों की मदद करने का निर्णय लिया। उसका साहस care, responsibility और action से जुड़ा हुआ था।

Why is helping others during a crisis called a courageous act?

संकट के समय दूसरों की मदद करना courageous act क्यों कहलाता है?

A crisis can be dangerous and frightening. Helping others during such a time requires courage, care and responsibility.

संकट का समय खतरनाक और डरावना हो सकता है। ऐसे समय दूसरों की मदद करने के लिए courage, care और responsibility की आवश्यकता होती है।

🎯 Chapter Quiz

1. What was Gayatri's father's profession? Fisherman Teacher Doctor

2. What was expected to hit the village? Earthquake Cyclonic storm Snowstorm

3. What entered Gayatri's house? Sand Flood water Smoke

4. Where did Gayatri take the trapped people? School Town hall Temple

5. What kind of bag did Gayatri use? Paper bag Waterproof bag Cloth bag

6. Who distributed the materials to the people? The shelter supervisor Gayatri's father A fisherman

1. Fisherman
2. Cyclonic storm
3. Flood water
4. Town hall
5. Waterproof bag
6. The shelter supervisor

1. मछुआरा
2. Cyclonic storm / चक्रवाती तूफान
3. Flood water / बाढ़ का पानी
4. Town hall
5. Waterproof bag / जलरोधी थैला
6. Shelter supervisor / temporary shelter का supervisor

📚 Vocabulary Challenge

1. “submerged” means: Choose पानी में डूबा हुआ बहुत ऊँचा सूखा हुआ

2. “marooned” means: Choose किसी स्थान पर फँसा हुआ बहुत खुश तेजी से भागना

3. “temporary” means: Choose हमेशा रहने वाला अस्थायी बहुत बड़ा

4. “authorities” means: Choose प्राधिकारी मछुआरे पड़ोसी

5. “rowed” means: Choose नाव को चप्पुओं से चलाया तैरा दौड़ा

1. submerged → covered completely by water
2. marooned → stranded in a place
3. temporary → lasting for a short time
4. authorities → people responsible for official control
5. rowed → moved a boat with oars

1. submerged → पानी में डूबा हुआ
2. marooned → किसी स्थान पर फँसा हुआ
3. temporary → अस्थायी
4. authorities → प्राधिकारी
5. rowed → चप्पुओं से नाव चलाई

🎨 Activity — Draw a Flood Scene

🎨 Your Task

Draw a picture of a flood scene and write a few lines about the causes and effects of floods.

बाढ़ का एक चित्र बनाइए और बाढ़ के causes और effects के बारे में कुछ lines लिखिए।

💡 Ideas

• बहुत अधिक वर्षा
• नदियों का overflow
• जलभराव
• घरों और सड़कों में पानी
• लोगों को सुरक्षित स्थान पर पहुँचाना

✍️ My Flood Scene Notes

Floods may be caused by very heavy rainfall, overflowing rivers and poor drainage. They can damage houses, roads and crops. People may have to leave their homes and move to safer places. During floods, people should remain alert and help one another safely.

बाढ़ बहुत अधिक वर्षा, नदियों के overflow और खराब drainage के कारण आ सकती है। इससे houses, roads और crops को नुकसान हो सकता है। लोगों को अपने घर छोड़कर सुरक्षित स्थानों पर जाना पड़ सकता है। बाढ़ के समय सतर्क रहना चाहिए और सुरक्षित तरीके से एक-दूसरे की मदद करनी चाहिए।

⚡ One-Minute Revision

Sunday → Fishing → Cyclone Warning → Heavy Rain → Flood → Gayatri's Courage → Boat → Town Hall → Relief Materials → Helping Neighbours

रविवार → Fishing → Cyclone Warning → भारी वर्षा → बाढ़ → Gayatri का साहस → नाव → Town Hall → राहत सामग्री → पड़ोसियों की मदद

🎣

Father

Fisherman

मछुआरा

🌪️

Danger

Cyclone

चक्रवात

🚣

Action

Gayatri helped people

Gayatri ने लोगों की मदद की

❤️

Value

Courage & Help

साहस और सहायता

🔑 Key Vocabulary Revision

Word	Pronunciation	Simple Meaning	हिन्दी Meaning
fisherman	/ˈfɪʃəmən/	a person who catches fish	मछुआरा
cyclone	/ˈsaɪkləʊn/	a violent storm	चक्रवात
flood	/flʌd/	overflow of water	बाढ़
topple	/ˈtɒpəl/	fall or make something fall	गिर पड़ना / गिराना
rowed	/rəʊd/	moved a boat with oars	चप्पुओं से नाव चलाई
submerged	/səbˈmɜːdʒd/	covered by water	पानी में डूबा हुआ
marooned	/məˈruːnd/	stranded	फँसा हुआ
temporary	/ˈtemprəri/	lasting for a short time	अस्थायी

🌟 Self-Assessment

I can explain why Gayatri was courageous.
मैं बता सकता/सकती हूँ कि Gayatri courageous क्यों थी। I understand the main events of the story.
मैं story की main घटनाओं को समझता/समझती हूँ। I know the important vocabulary.
मैं important vocabulary जानता/जानती हूँ। I can use a lot of, a little and a few.
मैं a lot of, a little और a few का प्रयोग कर सकता/सकती हूँ। I can explain how Gayatri helped the flood victims.
मैं बता सकता/सकती हूँ कि Gayatri ने flood victims की कैसे मदद की।

💛 Life Lesson

True courage is not only about facing danger. It is also about caring for others and taking helpful action when people need us.

सच्चा साहस केवल खतरे का सामना करना नहीं है। सच्चा साहस यह भी है कि जब लोगों को हमारी जरूरत हो, तब हम उनकी परवाह करें और उनकी मदद के लिए आगे आएँ।

📚 Class 7 English Reader-II • Chapter 11 — A Courageous Act

Read → Understand → Click & Learn → Listen → Practise → Check → Think → Create

सुरक्षित हिन्दी Unicode • Bilingual Learning • Interactive Practice

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