A Spark Neglected Burns the House: Notes and Answers – Class 7 English Jasper

Easy notes on “A Spark Neglected Burns the House” by Leo Tolstoy from the Jasper English book. Get a simple summary, key vocabulary words, themes and morals, character sketches, answers to end-of-chapter questions, and exercises. Perfect for CBSE, ICSE, and UP Board students. Get detailed notes, solved exercises, and access to other Jasper Book chapters for complete learning support.

Chapter-Notes on ‘A Spark Neglected Burns the House’ -Class 7 English Textbook JASPER

SUMMARY

Ivan and Gabriel were neighbours in a village and lived peacefully. One day, Gabriel’s wife accused Ivan’s wife of stealing an egg. This small quarrel grew into a big fight between the two families. They stopped talking to each other and even went to court. The enmity lasted for many years.

Because of their hatred, they did not help each other during difficult times. One night, Gabriel’s house caught fire. The fire spread quickly to Ivan’s house too. Since they were not on good terms, they could not work together to stop it. Both houses were burnt down.

Later, Ivan’s father advised him to forgive and make peace with Gabriel. Ivan followed his father’s advice, apologised to Gabriel, and they became friends again. The story teaches that small quarrels, if not solved in time, can cause great harm. Forgiveness and peace are always better than hatred.

(Summary in Hindi)

इवान और गैब्रियल गाँव में पड़ोसी थे और आपस में अच्छे संबंध थे। एक दिन गैब्रियल की पत्नी ने इवान की पत्नी पर एक अंडा चुराने का आरोप लगाया। यह छोटी-सी बात दोनों परिवारों के बीच बड़े झगड़े में बदल गई। उन्होंने एक-दूसरे से बात करना बंद कर दिया और मामला अदालत तक पहुँच गया। यह दुश्मनी कई सालों तक चली।

नफ़रत के कारण मुश्किल समय में भी वे एक-दूसरे की मदद नहीं करते थे। एक रात गैब्रियल के घर में आग लग गई। आग जल्दी ही इवान के घर तक फैल गई। क्योंकि वे एक-दूसरे से नाराज़ थे, वे मिलकर आग बुझा नहीं पाए और दोनों के घर जल गए।

बाद में, इवान के पिता ने उसे सलाह दी कि वह गैब्रियल को माफ़ करे और सुलह कर ले। इवान ने पिता की बात मानी, गैब्रियल से माफ़ी माँगी और दोनों फिर से दोस्त बन गए। कहानी सिखाती है कि छोटी-सी बात को समय पर सुलझा लेना चाहिए, वरना वह बड़ा नुकसान पहुँचा सकती है। माफ़ी और शांति नफ़रत से कहीं बेहतर हैं।

MORAL/MESSAGE of the Story

Small misunderstandings, if ignored, can grow into big problems and cause great harm. We should settle quarrels quickly, forgive others, and live in peace. Hatred destroys, but forgiveness saves relationships and brings happiness.

कहानी का संदेश

छोटी-सी गलतफ़हमी को नज़रअंदाज़ करने पर वह बड़ी समस्या बन सकती है और भारी नुकसान पहुँचा सकती है। हमें झगड़ों को जल्दी सुलझाना चाहिए, दूसरों को माफ़ करना चाहिए और आपसी शांति बनाए रखनी चाहिए। नफ़रत संबंधों को तोड़ती है, लेकिन माफ़ी उन्हें बचाती है और खुशी लाती है।

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Question and Answers (A Spark Neglected Burns the House) Class 7 English Textbook JASPER

COMPREHENSION

A. Answer the following questions:

1. There was nothing which could prevent Ivan and his family from leading a happy life’. Comment.
2. Which was the only idle mouth they had to feed?
3. Why did Ivan’s daughter-in-law go to Gabriel’s house?
4. Why did Gabriel go to the District Court?
5. How did Ivan manage to get Gabriel condemned to be flogged?
6. What advice did Ivan’s dying father give him?

Answers:

Answer Set-1 (Short Answers)

1. Ivan had land, cattle, a good house, and a loving family, so nothing stopped them from living happily.
2. His old father was the only idle mouth to feed.
3. She went to borrow some yeast.
4. To file a complaint against Ivan over the quarrel.
5. He bribed the scribe to write a false statement against Gabriel.
6. He told Ivan to forgive Gabriel and make peace.

Answer Set-2

1. Ivan had fertile land, cattle, a comfortable house, and a caring family. They lived in peace and had all they needed for a happy life.
2. The only idle mouth to feed was his old father, who no longer worked but lived with the family.
3. Ivan’s daughter-in-law went to Gabriel’s house to borrow some yeast for baking bread.
4. Gabriel went to the District Court to lodge a complaint against Ivan after their quarrel over the missing egg.
5. Ivan bribed the court scribe to write a false statement, which led to Gabriel being wrongly condemned to be flogged.
6. Ivan’s dying father advised him to forgive Gabriel, end the quarrel, and live peacefully with his neighbour.

Answer Set-3

1. Ivan had enough land, cattle, and horses. All the members of his family worked hard, and they lived peacefully. They were satisfied with what they had. So, there was nothing to stop them from being happy until the quarrel began.
2. The only idle mouth to feed was Ivan’s old father, who could no longer work.
3. She went to Gabriel’s house to borrow a sieve to clean flour.
4. Gabriel went to the District Court because he wanted to complain about Ivan and take legal action against him.
5. Ivan bribed a clerk in the court and managed to turn the case in his favour. As a result, Gabriel was ordered to be flogged.
6. Ivan’s dying father advised him to make peace with Gabriel before it was too late.

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B. Answer the following questions with reference to context

1. “Granny, my hen flew across this morning. Did she lay an egg here?”

(a) Who said these words? Whom was she talking to?
Ans. These words were said by Gabriel’s wife to Ivan’s wife.

(b) Why did she ask this question?
Ans. She asked this question because she thought her hen had gone into Ivan’s yard and laid an egg there.

(c) What answer did she get? Do you think the answer was gentle? Give reasons.
Ans. Ivan’s wife replied angrily, saying she had not seen any hen or egg. The answer was not gentle because it was said in a rude and offended tone, which started the quarrel.

2. “I didn’t grow my beard,” he said, “for pockmarked Ivan to pull it out!”

(a) Who was ‘he’? Why had Ivan pulled out his beard?
Ans. The “he” here is Gabriel. Ivan pulled Gabriel’s beard during a heated quarrel between them.

(b) What was Ivan’s father’s observation?
Ans. Ivan’s father observed that such fighting was shameful and unnecessary, and advised him to keep peace.

(c) What effect did the quarrel have on the families?
Ans. The quarrel made the families enemies. They stopped speaking to each other, avoided each other, and their relationship was filled with anger and hatred.

3. “Daddy Ivan, your father is dying! He has sent for you to say good-bye.”

(a) Who said these words to Ivan? Where was Ivan at that time?
Ans. These words were said by a villager to Ivan. At that time, Ivan was working in the fields.

(b) What disaster had taken place the previous night?
Ans. The previous night, a big fire had broken out, burning down both Ivan’s and Gabriel’s houses.

(c) Who was responsible for the disaster? Why was he not punished?
Ans. The fire started from Gabriel’s house, but no one was punished because everyone knew the disaster happened due to their long quarrel and unwillingness to help each other.

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C. Think, discuss, and then answer the following questions.

1. Quarrels amongst elders can have a bad effect on children. How far do you think this is correct? Give reasons for your answer.
2. In spite of knowing that Gabriel was responsible for the fire, Ivan did not take his name. Why did he do so? Did he take the correct decision? Give reasons.

Answers: (Sample Answers)

Answer Set – 1

1. Quarrels amongst elders can have a bad effect on children. How far do you think this is correct? Give reasons for your answer.
   Ans. Yes, this is correct. When elders quarrel, children learn to behave in the same way. They may also start hating the other family. Quarrels create an atmosphere of anger and sadness in the house. This can make children unhappy and unfriendly.

2. In spite of knowing that Gabriel was responsible for the fire, Ivan did not take his name. Why did he do so? Did he take the correct decision? Give reasons.
   Ans. Ivan did not take Gabriel’s name because he understood that their quarrel had caused the disaster. He knew that if they had helped each other, the fire could have been stopped. Yes, he took the correct decision because blaming Gabriel would not have helped. Forgiving him brought peace and friendship back between them.

Answer Set – 2

1. Quarrels amongst elders can have a bad effect on children. How far do you think this is correct? Give reasons for your answer.
   Ans. Yes, this is true. Children watch and copy what elders do. If elders fight, children may also learn to fight and disrespect others. They may stop talking to the other family and grow up with bitterness. Quarrels at home also disturb their peace of mind.

2. In spite of knowing that Gabriel was responsible for the fire, Ivan did not take his name. Why did he do so? Did he take the correct decision? Give reasons.
   Ans. Ivan stayed silent because he realised that both of them were at fault for not helping each other. He knew the fight had caused the loss. Yes, it was the right choice. It stopped further anger and helped them become friends again.

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GRAMMAR

A. Underline the adjective phrases in the following sentences.

1. Have you ever seen a tiger with a white skin?
2. The princess was wearing a crown made of gold.
3. There I met a girl with blue eyes.
4. A man with a long beard was standing near my gate.
5. We visited many villages without any inhabitants.
6. A friend in need is a friend indeed.
7. He was a young man of great promise.
8. In a low voice, he told me the secret.

Answer:

1. Have you ever seen a tiger with a white skin?
2. The princess was wearing a crown made of gold.
3. There I met a girl with blue eyes.
4. A man with a long beard was standing near my gate.
5. We visited many villages without any inhabitants.
6. A friend in need is a friend indeed.
7. He was a young man of great promise.
8. In a low voice, he told me the secret.

B. In the following sentences say whether the underlined words are adjective phrases or adverb phrases.

1. He was wearing a crown made of gold.
2. There I met a girl with blue eyes.
3. He fought with all his might.
4. They chatted for a while.
5. He was a young man of great promise.
6. It must be done at any cost.
7. A friend in need is a friend indeed.
8. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

Answer:

1. made of gold – Adjective phrase
2. with blue eyes – Adjective phrase
3. with all his might – Adverb phrase
4. for a while – Adverb phrase
5. of great promise – Adjective phrase
6. at any cost – Adverb phrase
7. in need – Adjective phrase
8. in the hand – Adjective phrase

C. Underline the phrases and say what kind they are.

1. I can wait for five minutes.
2. I hope to win the first prize.
3. The king wore a crown made of gold.
4. She ran into her room.
5. The man denied stealing the money.
6. The man lived in a house made of wood.
7. I dislike going to the zoo.
8. The gun went off with a loud noise.
9. The flag of India flew at the top of the mast.
10. I tried to solve the puzzle.

Answer:

1. for five minutes – Adverb phrase
2. to win the first prize – Infinitive phrase
3. made of gold – Adjective phrase
4. into her room – Adverb phrase
5. stealing the money – Gerund phrase
6. in a house made of wood – Adverb phrase (whole phrase), made of wood – Adjective phrase
7. going to the zoo – Gerund phrase
8. with a loud noise – Adverb phrase
9. at the top of the mast – Adverb phrase
10. to solve the puzzle – Infinitive phrase

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WRITE

Message writing

Atul wanted to speak to Aarav on the phone. But Aarav had gone out, so Atul left a message with Aarav’s sister, Diya. Read the telephone conversation between them.

ATUL: It’s Atul here. Can I speak to Aarav?
DIYA : Sorry, he has gone out.
ATUL : When will he come back?
DIYA : I don’t know. Would you like to leave a message?
ATUL : Yes. I have something important to discuss with him. Would you please ask him to call me back as soon as he returns?
DIYA : Certainly.
ATUL : Thank you.

Now Diya must give Aarav his friend’s message. But she has to go out before Aarav returns. So help Diya write the message for Aarav.
(See the book for the printed format)

Amswer:

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