ANIMALS, BIRDS AND Dr. DOLITTLE (Page 274)
Pre-reading Activities
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I. Do you have a pet or a domestic animal? How do people usually spend time with a pet or domestic animal?
Yes, I have a pet dog. People spend time with pets by feeding them, taking them for daily walks, playing fetch with toys, grooming their fur, and talking to them lovingly.
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II. If you had a chance to communicate with an animal or a bird, who would you like to speak to and why?
I would like to speak to an eagle because I want to know how it feels to soar high in the sky and view the vast landscape from above.
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III. Study the pictures (1. Duck, 2. Cat, 3. Dog, 4. Cockatoo/Parrot) and find out what emotions they are trying to convey:
1. Duck: Angry / aggressive (flapping wings and quacking loudly).
2. Cat: Frightened / defensive (arched back and puffed tail).
3. Dog: Happy / friendly and playful (wagging tail with tongue out).
4. Cockatoo / Parrot: Curious / alert (head tilted with crest raised).
Let us discuss (Page 277)
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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
Answer: 4. knows more about animals than the local veterinarians
- II. Fill in the blanks: Doctor Dolittle reacts to Polynesia's information about animal languages with both excitement and curiosity. He rushes to write the bird words she provides and is interested in learning more.
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III. Do you think Doctor Dolittle would be famous as an animal doctor? If yes, why? If not, why not?
Yes, he would become very famous because he is the only doctor who can actually speak animal languages and understand their problems directly without guessing.
Let us discuss (Page 281)
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I. What became a common sight in Puddleby after Doctor Dolittle started treating animals?
Answer: 2. Farm animals wearing glasses
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II. What challenges do you think Doctor Dolittle might face if more and more animals come to him for help? How might he overcome these challenges?
- Challenges: Overcrowding in his garden, lack of space, different animals fighting with each other, and exhausting workloads.
- Solutions: He made separate entrances/doors for different animals (horses, cows, sheep, mice), organized appointment times, and created a large recovery shelter in his garden. -
III. Arrange the following events in correct chronological order:
Order Event 1 3. A man with a stomach-ache visits Doctor Dolittle and suggests he should treat animals instead of people. 2 6. The parrot, Polynesia, encourages Doctor Dolittle to become an animal doctor, revealing that animals can talk. 3 4. Polynesia teaches Doctor Dolittle animal languages, and he starts understanding and communicating with animals. 4 1. Doctor Dolittle decides to stop being a doctor for people and becomes a doctor for animals. 5 10. Word spreads, and people start bringing their sick pets and farm animals to Doctor Dolittle for treatment. 6 5. A plough horse with vision problems visits Doctor Dolittle, who prescribes green spectacles, to improve the horse's eyesight. 7 8. Doctor Dolittle's ability to communicate with animals helps him diagnose and treat their illnesses effectively. 8 2. Animals from near and far come to Doctor Dolittle for help, crowding his garden. 9 7. Doctor Dolittle installs special doors for different animals to enter his house for treatment. 10 9. Doctor Dolittle gains fame among animals worldwide, and they come to him from various places for his help.
Let us think and reflect (Page 282 - 283)
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I. Extract 1: "If I say, 'Polly wants a cracker', you understand me. But hear this: Ka-ka oi-ee, fee-fee?"...
(i) 'Good Gracious' can be replaced by:Answer: B. gosh -
(ii) Why had Polynesia never used bird language with the Doctor earlier?
Because she knew the Doctor would not have understood it before.
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(iii) Statement: Polynesia had been munching on a food item while talking to Doctor Dolittle.
Statement Ans Polynesia had been munching on a food item while talking to Doctor Dolittle. True (she was dusting cracker crumbs off her wing) -
(iv) How did Doctor Dolittle feel according to the extract?
Answer: B. surprised
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Extract 2: "I would like a pair like yours," said the horse—"only green..."
(i) Analogy: digging : flower bed :: ploughing : field.
(ii) Doctor Dolittle's attitude is:Answer: C. understanding -
(iii) Doctors take animals for granted because animals cannot speak human language or complain about their treatment.
(iv) Do you agree that it takes a cleverer person to doctor animals than people?Yes, because animals cannot directly explain their symptoms with words, so an animal doctor must be exceptionally observant and sensitive to understand them. -
II. Questions:
1. How can we say that Polynesia was a good trainer of animal language?She taught the Doctor patiently starting from the basic "Birds' A.B.C.", explained body language like nose twitching and ear scratching, and helped him master it thoroughly. -
2. Explain how Doctor Dolittle gave equal and individual attention to each animal.
He listened directly to every animal in its own language, provided customized care (like green glasses for the horse), and made separate doors and a mouse tunnel for each species.
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3. What qualities made Doctor Dolittle famous?
His kindness, patience, genuine compassion, openness to learning, and extraordinary ability to speak animal languages.
Compound Words & Grammar (Page 283 - 286)
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I. Classify the Compound Words:
Hyphenated Words Open Compound Words Closed Compound Words check-in, well-bred sailor song, plough horse, harvest mice teatime, windowsill -
II. Match Column A with Column B to create compound words and fill the paragraph:
Column A Ans Column B 1. fun ( iv ) loving 2. high ( iii ) flying 3. never ( vii ) ending 4. early ( v ) risers 5. song ( ii ) birds 6. over ( i ) head 7. tree ( vi ) tops After being treated by Doctor Dolittle, the A. fun-loving dolphins danced playfully in his sanctuary. The B. never-ending chatter of monkeys echoed through the C. tree tops. D. High-flying eagles soared gracefully E. overhead, their health restored. F. Early risers among the G. songbirds chirped joyfully from the branches. -
III. Hidden Animal Names in Sentences:
1. Dr. Dolittle was eating oatmeal for his breakfast. → goat (or mare)
2. Old ladies began to bring him their pets. → ant
3. The author sees the connection cowardly... → cow
4. The three baby dinosaurs are from ice age. → hare
5. The patients who came late didn't know where to go. → camel -
IV. Palindromes in Sentences:
1. Step on no pets (Palindrome sentence)
2. Naman, race car
3. Nitin, Malayalam
4. rotator
5. radar
6. Eva, can I see bees in a cave? (Palindrome sentence) -
VI. Present Perfect Tense Fill in the Blanks:
Since becoming an animal doctor, Doctor Dolittle 1. has learned to communicate with all animals and birds. He 2. has treated countless farm animals and pets with care. The parrot, Polynesia, 3. has taught him bird-language, and he 4. has written books about his adventures. Many people 5. have brought their sick animals to his door. Over the years, Dolittle 6. has become renowned worldwide for his unique abilities.
Listening & Notice Writing (Page 286 - 288)
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Listening (Page 286 - Announcement):
Statement Ans Dr. Dolittle's new clinic presents an offer of free medicines. False 1. The new clinic is located in the town of Woodstock.
2. The address is 12, Rose Lane.
3. The clinic is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
4. Special timings for birds are on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
5. Dr. Dolittle will ensure that animals get the best care possible.
6. All animals—horses, cows, pets, wild animals, and others are welcome. -
Notice Writing (Page 288):
Z.P. HIGH SCHOOL, PUDDLEBY
NOTICE
12 July 2026
ANNUAL HEALTH CHECK-UPThis is to inform all the students of Grades 6-8 about the upcoming Annual Health Check-up.
• Date: 27 and 28 July 2026 (Thursday and Friday)
• Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
• Venue: School Assembly Hall
All students are requested to bring their health card for the check-up. For any queries or further details, please contact the undersigned.
Asma
Health In-charge
POEM: A FUNNY MAN (Page 291 - 294)
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I. Identify True Statements from the Poem:
Statement Ans 1. The poet says that she had never heard such an amusing song. True 2. The funny man was quite ill-mannered. False (His manners were polite) 3. The funny man wore two hats on his feet. True 4. The funny man hopped on his head to reach home. True 5. The funny man gave a rose to the poet. False (He offered a currant bun as a rose) 6. The funny man smiled at the poet. True -
II. Word meanings from poem:
1. A small seedless raisin = currant
2. Moved unsteadily = staggered -
III. Complete sentences:
1. The tone of the poem is humorous, playful, and cheerful.
2. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABCB; and it gives a musical, lively rhythm.
3. The poet repeated 'funny' to highlight the nonsensical and amusing nature of the man's actions. -
IV. MCQ / Poetic Devices:
1. The poem uses vivid imagery to create a humorous and nonsensical scene.
2. The structure of the poem is in dialogue form.
3. The phrases 'sounding sight' and 'hopped home' are examples of alliteration.
Phrasal Verbs & Pace Words (Page 295 - 297)
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Extract 1 (Page 293): "He said, 'Allow me to present Your Highness with a rose.' And taking out a currant bun..."
(i) Why address as 'Your Highness'? To mockingly or playfully show mock politeness in a grand, absurd way.
(ii) Phrase indicating polite request: "Allow me to present".
(iii) Image representing a 'currant bun': Image 2 (Sweet round bun with raisins).
(iv) 'Well!' expresses surprise because the man claimed to present a rose but held out a sweet currant bun. -
I. Match Phrasal Verbs with meanings and fill blanks (Page 296):
Phrasal Verb Ans Meaning 1. take up ( iii ) to begin to study, practice, or do something 2. take after ( v ) to resemble or look similar to a family member 3. take in ( i ) to understand or comprehend something 4. take over ( ii ) to assume control or responsibility for something 5. take off ( iv ) to become successful or popular quickly 1. The new technology is set to take over traditional methods of communication.
2. I tried hard to take in what the writer wanted to say but was unsuccessful.
3. Arjun decided to take up painting as a hobby.
4. The smartphone quickly took off in sales in the market.
5. Sheela takes after her father; they have the same smile. -
III. Arrange Movement Words in Increasing Order of Pace (Page 297):
stagger → walk → 1. jog → hop → 2. trot → run → 3. sprint
PLAY: SAY THE RIGHT THING (Page 302 - 309)
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I. Pre-reading (Page 302):
1. What does 'Athithi Devo Bhava' mean?
'Athithi Devo Bhava' is a sacred Indian Sanskrit value meaning "The guest is equivalent to God". -
II. Polite behavior statements when guests arrive (Page 302):
- 1. Offer the guests a glass of water.
- 2. Enquire about the well-being of the guests.
- 5. Accompany the guests to the door when they leave. -
Scene II False Statement Rectifications (Page 309):
2. Mrs. Harding was pleased to know that Mary was familiar with her children.
→ Rectification: Mrs. Harding was annoyed/displeased because she did not have any children.
3. Mrs. Shaw shared that she liked Mrs. Best as she read a lot of newspapers.
→ Rectification: Mrs. Shaw said bankers always read a lot of newspapers, and she liked Mrs. Best simply as a nice neighbour.
4. Mrs. Harding and Mrs. Shaw agree that wearing a blue dress with a red coat is unfashionable.
→ Rectification: Mrs. Harding revealed she regularly wears a blue dress with a red coat, and Mrs. Shaw quickly said she liked that combination.
5. Mary shares that she finds the dog outside the window cute.
→ Rectification: Mary complained that the dog looked very dirty and wondered why anyone would keep dogs, unaware that it was Mrs. Harding's pet dog Towzer.
Suffixes & Kinds of Sentences (Page 312 - 315)
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1. Match Suffixes with their function and write examples (Page 312):
Suffix Ans Meaning / Purpose Examples (i) -logy ( C ) a study of Sociology, Geology, Zoology (ii) -ance ( F ) change to a noun guidance, performance (iii) -ed ( E ) change to past tense stopped, walked (iv) -ward ( G ) in a certain direction backward, forward, upward (v) -ous ( H ) change to adjective courageous, humorous (vi) -ly ( A ) change to adverb quietly, gladly, quickly (vii) -est ( D ) change to superlative toughest, smallest, brightest (viii) -es ( B ) change to plural tomatoes, boxes, classes -
2. Fill in the blanks with suitable suffixes (Page 313):
To communicate (i) effectively, choose your words and topics (ii) wisely. Avoid (iii) discussing things you don't know much about or that could upset someone. Remember to be (iv) respectful towards others, including yourself, and express your (v) appreciation. Finally, always be (vi) responsive by replying promptly to communicate.
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1. Fill in the blanks with suitable verbs (look/see, fetch/bring, study/learn, hear/listen, speak/talk, live/stay) (Page 313 - 314):
(i) I looked at the photo, but I didn't see anyone familiar.
(ii) I'd better go and fetch my mother from the station, and then bring her home.
(iii) I need to study for my mathematics exam this weekend, so I hope to learn new concepts along the way.
(iv) I can hear the music from my neighbour's house, but I need to listen to it carefully to understand the lyrics.
(v) "Could I speak to Mrs. Kalpana, who is going to talk to us about gardening," said Ritu.
(vi) I live in a small town, but I often stay with my relatives in the city. -
Punctuate and Identify Kinds of Sentences (Page 315):
Punctuated Sentence Kind of Sentence (i) The meeting starts at 10.00 a.m. in the conference room. Declarative (ii) What an exciting adventure it was! Exclamatory (iii) How did you solve the problem so quickly? Interrogative (iv) What is the weather forecast today? Interrogative (v) How beautiful is the rainbow! Exclamatory (vi) Clean up your room before dinner. Imperative (vii) The children are planning a surprise party for their mom. Declarative (viii) Turn off the music. Imperative
