BSEB Class 12 English Rainbow Book Poem 7 Mcacavity: The Mystery Cat Question Answers 

 

Mcacavity: The Mystery Cat Question Answers: Looking for Mcacavity: The Mystery Cat important questions and Answers for BSEB Class 12 English Rainbow Book? Look no further! Our comprehensive compilation of important questions will help you brush up on your subject knowledge. Practicing BSEB Class 12 English question Answers can significantly improve your performance in the board exam. Improve your chances of scoring high marks by exploring Mcacavity: The Mystery Cat Question Answers now. The questions listed below are based on the latest BSEB exam pattern. All the exercises and Questions Answers given at the back of the lesson have also been covered. 

 

 


Related: Mcacavity: The Mystery Cat Summary, Explanation, Word Meanings 

 

BSEB Class 12 English Poem 7 Mcacavity: The Mystery Cat Textbook Question and Answers

Exercises

B.1. 1. Read the following sentences and write ‘T’ for true and ‘F’ for false statements:

a) Macavity is an ordinary cat.
b) Macavity is an outlaw.
c) Macavity is always there on the scene of crime.
d) Macavity can be found in the basement.
e) The poet finds Macavity lazy and half-asleep.
f) It can be seen in the by-street.
g) Mungojerrie and Griddlebone are also cats.
h) The poet is really angry with Macavity.
i) The poet compares Macavity to Napolean. 

Answer-
a) Macavity is an ordinary cat. False
b) Macavity is an outlaw. True
c) Macavity is always there on the scene of crime. False
d) Macavity can be found in the basement. False
e) The poet finds Macavity lazy and half-asleep. True
f) It can be seen in the by-street. True
g) Mungojerrie and Griddlebone are also cats. True
h) The poet is really angry with Macavity. False
i) The poet compares Macavity to Napolean. True

B.1 2. Answer the following questions briefly:

1) Why does the poet call Macavity, a mystery cat?
Answer- The poet calls Macavity a mystery cat because he is a notorious criminal, whose nickname is Hidden Paw. Macavity disobeys the laws enforced in the country. The Flying Squad running after him always fails to catch him as he is faster than them. He commits crimes, breaks the rules, and indulges in mischievous activities, but he is so clever that he is never caught. That’s why the poet calls Macavity the mystery cat.

2) What are the adjectives that have been used to describe Macavity’s character?
Answer- The adjectives that have been used to describe Macavity’s character are ‘ginger’ because he is tall and skinny and his eyes are sunken in. He is also described as a ‘fiend’ because he is evil and a ‘monster’ because he is an animal with no moral values.

3) Why is Macavity termed a ‘criminal’?
AnswerMacavity is termed as a criminal because he defies the law and indulges in criminal activities such as he loots the food from a cupboard used for storing food, search thoroughly and steal jewels and milk, whenever he suffocate a dog or break into a greenhouse or architecture, he quickly vanishes away and is never to be found. 

4) What is suggested by the phrase ‘powers of levitation’?
Answer-
The phrase ‘powers of levitation’ has been used to explain the cat’s supernatural and extraordinary ability to rise and float in air. 

5) What would you do if a cat enters your kitchen? Would you keep a cat as pet?
Answer- 
Cats can carry parasites such as tapeworms, heartworm and fleas. When cat goes outdoors, she can pick up parasite eggs along with soil bacteria between her claws. Because of this, cats should never be allowed in the kitchen or anywhere the food is prepared or eaten so I will immediately drive the cat away in case it enters my kitchen. No, I won’t keep a cat as a pet.

 

C.1. LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. Discuss the poet’s impression of Macavity, the mystery cat. Why does he call it mysterious?
Answer- In the poem ‘Macavity: The Mystery Cat’, the cat is neither a stray cat nor a pet who openly disobeys the laws and is a criminal. The poet finds it a wonder-cat because after committing a wrong act it is never found on the scene of the crime. He calls it mysterious because it acts like a smart criminal who couldn’t be ever caught because he hides himself or leaves the place immediately after committing the crime.

2. ‘Macavity is never there’. Elaborate.
Answer-
Macavity is never there’ is the phrase which shows that he is very cunning, deceitful and is a criminal-minded cat. He defies law and commits crime like he steals the food, jewels and milk,  breaking the greenhouse glass or architecture, but still it is never found at the crime scene. After committing something wrong and injurious it is always traceless. Macavity leaves the place where it happens to commit a misdeed and vanishes from there. It becomes baffling for investigating agencies.

3. Why does the poet call Macavity ‘outwardly respectable’? Discuss
Answer-
The poet calls Macavity superficially outwardly respectable because he cheats at cards in such a way that nobody can discover it. He has worn a mask of innocence and decency. Macavity is the most cunning and indistinct cat as he leaves no trace of his previous criminal record in the files of the detective agency like Scotland Yard

4. There are other cats like Mungojerrie and Griddlebone, but ‘there’s no one like Macavity’. Explain.
Answer-
There are other cats like Mungojerrie and Griddlebone, but ‘there’s no one like Macavity’ by this poet means that Macavity’s companions are also well known because of their crimes  and wrong activities. Macavity can’t be compared with them because he is the mastermind of all such cats. However, they are just the agents for the Macavity all the time. They control the operations of Napoleon of Crime by which the poet means Macavity.

5. Make a list of crimes Macavity is capable of
Answer- Macavity is capable of doing different kinds of crimes such as defying the law, drinking the milk, misplacing the jewel-box, stealing or removing the important documents such as treaty papers, admiralty drawings and breaking greenhouse glass. Macavity also indulges in various other impure and humiliating acts, which causes much damage to the society and he leaves no trace of his previous criminal record in the files of the detective agency like Scotland Yard.

6. What would you do to tame Macavity?
Answer-
Taming a cat like Macavity will not be an easy task so I would work out a plan for the proper training to tame Macavity. When a cat is doing something which we don’t like, we should simply use our voice to stop them. A simple ‘No’ or ‘Hey’ said in a loud, firm voice will get the job done. Although it is a cat, I would leave a huge bowl of milk in the kitchen to trap it and then I would be strict with it and monitor it’s every movement and activity until it becomes a little disciplined. 

7. Do you find the poem humorous? Give your comments on the poem.
Answer-
Yes, the poem is full of humour and it must be taken as a poem with lighter notes. It is also amusing  and comical because there can’t be a cat like this which can commit such crimes and moreover it can’t be caught by the police. There is no seriousness in the poem and it can be studied for enjoyment purposes only.

 

C.3. COMPOSITION

Write a short essay in about 150 words on the following:

a.Your favourite pet
Answer- Pets are a blessing that only lucky people get to have. I have been lucky enough to have few pets since my childhood. I love my pet dog very much. His name is Scotch. He has brown fur with white small patches on body. He is one of the most beautiful dogs I have ever seen. We spend a lot of time together. I always take good care of him. We both go to the park for a walk daily. He is growing very fast. I take him to the doctor every month for vaccination. My pet has become my best friend and I enjoy his company a lot. I always have a lot of fun with my pet. It is actually a very good habit to keep pets. These are important for a relaxed life and make your life more beautiful. Every family should have at least single pet at their home to amuse them. It is also very important to take good care of your pet. However, he is now an inseparable part of my life. I love spending time with him and he manages to make my saddest days happier.

b.Animals in prison
Answer- Animals are an important part of our ecosystem and are very useful to us. But, we sometimes forget that they are also living creatures. We keep on harassing them and these poor creatures can’t even express their feelings and grief. Cruelty towards animals has become an international matter of concern. In today’s society we believe that it is acceptable to take animals out of their natural habitat and keep them in cages for our own personal gain. But, no habitat will ever be as large as their natural home. This is almost identical to what is happening in the prison system. The animals feel unsettled when they are kept in prison and their freedom is taken away. In prison, they are not well treated and they suffer a lot. They don’t get proper food, environment and care. Malnutrition kills hundreds of prision animals all over the world. From the lack of food or being fed the wrong diet. They must be taken care of nicely for their improvement as they are also a very important part of our life.

 

D.WORD STUDY

D.1 Dictionary Use 

Ex. 1. Look up a dictionary and write two meanings of each of the following words – the one in which it is used in the lesson and the other which is more common

ginger loot alibi coat
master pulse repair 

 

Answer-

Ginger

  1. A SE Asian plant,
  2. A spice
Loot

  1. Spoils
  2. Booty 
Alibi

  1. Shield
  2. Defence
Coat

  1. Overcoat
  2. Tunic
Master

  1. Education
  2. Teacher 
Pulse

  1. Heartbeat
  2. Thron
Repair

  1. Mend
  2. Restor

 

D.2. Word-formation

Read the following line carefully:
His powers of levitation would make a fakir stare…
For he’s fiend in feline shape, a monster of depravity.

In the first line given above ‘levitation’, which is a noun, is derived from ‘levity’ which is also a noun by adding a suffix ‘ation’ to it. In the second line, ‘depravity, a noun, is derived from a verb ‘deprave’ by adding a suffix ‘ity’ to it.

Form words from the following nouns and verbs by adding a suffix to them:

gravity baffle national profound jovial celebrate

Answer-

Gravity-

Gravitation

Baffle-

Bafflement

National-

Nationality

Profound-

Profounded 

Jovial-

Joviality

Celebrate-

Celebration

 

D.3. Word-meaning

E.1. Match the words in Column A with their meaning in Column B:

Column A Column B
paw away from the correct path
stare covered with dust 
dusty having an elegant manner
depravity excuse
astray foot of an animal
suavity  look sternly
alibi  room below the ground level

 Answer-

Column A Column B
paw foot of an animal
stare look sternly
dusty covered with dust 
depravity away from the correct path
astray room below the ground level
suavity  having an elegant manner
alibi  excuse

 

E.GRAMMAR

Ex. 1. Fill in the blanks selecting suitable words given in the bracket against each sentence:

i. If you …….  to him, he would help you. (go, went)
ii.Their footprints ………..  seen there. (was, were)
iii. When you ………  here, I will help you. (reach, will reach)
iv. The boy ………… father lives here is my friend. (whom, whose)
v. Manoj is the boy …………. can do anything. (who, whom)
vi. Sita is engaged ………….. some important work today. (in, with)
vii. He is more ………. a poet. (than, but)
viii. She ……  herself even in a critical situation. (control, controls)
ix. He has …… every human law. (broke, broken)
x.There may be ………  point of discussion. (a, the)

Answer-

i. If you went to him, he would help you. (go, went)
ii.Their footprints were seen there. (was, were)
iii. When you reach  here, I will help you. (reach, will reach)
iv. The boy whose father lives here is my friend. (whom, whose)
v. Manoj is the boy who can do anything. (who, whom)
vi. Sita is engaged in some important work today. (in, with)
vii. He is more than a poet. (than, but)
viii. She controls  herself even in a critical situation. (control, controls)
ix. He has broken every human law. (broke, broken)
x.There may be a point of discussion. (a, the)

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BSEB Class 12 English Poem 7 Mcacavity: The Mystery Cat Extra Question and Answers

 

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who has penned the poem “Macavity: The Mystery Cat”?
A. H.G. Wells
B. T.S. Eliot
C. James Brook
D. Langston Hughes
Ans. B. T.S. Eliot

2. What is the name of the cat?
A. Mc Donald
B. Macavity
C. Mc Cavity
D. Mystery
Ans. B. Macavity

3. Which police force is mentioned in the poem?
A. The Gendarmerie
B. Indian Police force
C. Scotland Yard
D. The Royal New Zealand Police
Ans. C. Scotland Yard

4. Why did Macavity not get caught?
A. He did not do any crime
B. He was clever not to get caught
C. He disguised himself
D. none of these
Ans. B. He was clever not to get caught

5. Macavity would ________
A. vanish into thin air
B. have great reflexes
C. disobey every human law
D. All of these
Ans. D. All of these

6. What is the rhyme scheme of the poem ‘Macavity: The Mystery Cat’?
A. ababcdcd
B. abcbdefe
C. no rhyme
D. aabbccdd
Ans. D. aabbccdd

7. The phrase ‘ginger cat’ means __________
A. Macavity’s skin was the colour of ginger
B. Its appearance was tall, skinny and eyes sunken
C. It behaved rudely just like the bitter taste of ginger
D. All of these
Ans. B. Its appearance was tall, skinny and eyes sunken

8. Macavity would sway his head like a _________
A. cow
B. dog
C. pendulum
D. snake
Ans. D. snake

9. ‘Fiend’ means-
A. friend
B. partner
C. evil spirit
D. None of these
Ans. C. evil spirit

10. ‘Depravity’ means-
A. to deprive someone
B. corruption
C. against gravity
D. to go deep in the earth
Ans. B. corruption

11. ‘you may see him in the square –’ Which of the following sentences uses ‘square’ as it has been used in the line from the poem?
A. Please cut the sheet into four squares of equal size.
B. Today a flea market was set up in the market square.
C. We bought a new flat measuring two hundred square feet.
D. Tell me the square of eight.
Ans. B. Today a flea market was set up in the market square.

12. Which of the following animals does NOT belong to the ‘feline’ family?
A. Tiger
B. Cat
C. Leopard
D. Jackal
Ans. D. Jackal

13. Which mathematical operation is Macavity involved in?
A. Finding squares
B. Addition
C. Division
D. subtraction
Ans. C. Division

14. The poem uses Allusion when Macavity is called ‘The ___________ of crime”
A. Shakespeare
B. Hitler
C. Napolean
D. Allexander
Ans. C. Napolean

15. Identify the poetic device used-
‘ ‘And’ his footprints are not found in any file of Scotland Yard’s.
‘And’ when the larder’s looted, or the jewel-case is rifled,’
A. Simile
B. Anaphora
C. enjambment
D. Antithesis
Ans. B. Anaphora

16. ‘Fakir’ means-
A. trickster
B. saint
C. vagabond
D. beggar
Ans. B. saint

17. What is not found in any file of Scotland Yard’s?
A. Macavity’s fingerprints
B. Macavity’s footprints
C. Macavity’s photograph
D. evidence against Macavity
Ans. B. Macavity’s footprints

18. How are the cat’s whiskers?
A. neat and combed
B. uncombed
C. trimmed
D. he doesn’t have any
Ans. B. uncombed

19. What figure of speech is used when the poet says – ‘breaks the law of gravity’
A. Allusion
B. Hyperbole
C. epithet
D. synecdoche
Ans. B. Hyperbole

20. Which of the following best describes ‘levitation’?
A. magical power to rise and float in air
B. magical power to sink in water
C. magical power to float on water
D. magical power to go in space
Ans. A. magical power to rise and float in air

Extract Based Questions

Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow-

A. Macavity’s a Mystery Cat: he’s called the Hidden Paw-
For he’s the master criminal who can defy the Law.
He’s the bafflement of Scotland yard, the Flying Squad’s despair:
For when they reach the scene of crime – Macavity’s not there!
Macavity, Macavity, there’s no one like Macavity,

1. Why is Macavity called the hidden paw?
Ans. He is called the hidden paw because the police is not able to catch him. He vanishes after committing crimes.

2. Why is the Scotland Yard baffled and the Flying Squad in despair?
Ans. It is because when they reach the crime scene, Macavity is not there.

3. What does being a master criminal imply?
Ans. It implies that he is the topmost criminal and an expert.

4. What does ‘defy’ mean?
Ans. ‘Defy’ means to disobey or go against.

5. Scotland Yard is a _______
Ans. Police organization

 

B. Macavity’s a ginger cat; he’s very tall and thin;
You would know him if you saw him, for his eyes are sunken in.
His brow is deeply lined with thoughts, his head is highly domed;
His coat is dusty from neglect, his whiskers are uncombed.
He sways his head from side to side, with movement like a snake;
And when you think he’s half asleep, he’s always wide awake.

1. Which figure of speech is used-
‘He sways his head from side to side, with movement like a snake’
Ans. Simile. It compares the movement of Macavity’s head to that of a snake with the use of ‘like’.

2. ‘Ginger’ is used as ________
Ans. Ginger is used as an adjective to describe Macavity.

3. What does Macavity’s brow suggest?
Ans. It suggests that he is deep in thought.

4. What does ‘coat’ mean?
Ans. Here, ‘coat’ means Macavity’s skin

5. What figure of speech is used –
‘And when you think he’s half asleep, he’s always wide awake.’
Ans. Antithesis is the use of opposite words when they are closely placed. Here asleep and awake are opposites.

C. He’s outwardly respectable. (They say he cheats at cards.)
And his footprints are not found in any file of Scotland Yard’s.
And when the larder’s looted, or the jewel-case is rifled,
Or when the milk is missing, or another Peke’s been stifled,
Or the greenhouse glass is broken, and the trellis past repair
Ay, there’s the wonder of the thing! Macavity’s not there!

1. What game does Macavity play?
Ans. He plays cards.

2. What is a larder?
Ans. It is a cupboard used for storing food.

3. What all crimes have been mentioned?
Ans. He loots the larder, searches through the jewel box, steals milk, stifles Peke, breaks the glass of the greenhouse and damages the trellis.

4. Identify the figure of speech used-
‘And his footprints are not found in any file of Scotland Yard’s.
And when the larder’s looted, or the jewel-case is rifled,’
Ans. Anaphora is the repetition of the same word at the start of two or more consecutive lines. Here, ‘And’ is repeated.

5. What is a trellis?
Ans. It is a frame used to give support to vines and climbing plants

D. And when the foreign Office find a Treaty’s gone astray,
Or the Admiralty lose some plans and drawings by the way,
There may be a scrap of paper in the hall or on the stair –
But it’s useless to investigate , – Macavity’s not there!
And when the loss has been disclosed, the Secret Service say:
‘It must have been Macavity!’ but he’s a mile away.
You’ll be sure to find him resting, or a-licking of his thumbs,
Or engaged in doing complicated long division sums.

1. What does ‘astray’ mean?
Ans. It means to go wrong.

2. Why is it useless to investigate?
Ans. It is useless because Macavity has escaped after committing the theft.

3. ‘Secret Service’ is the figure of speech called _____
Ans. Alliteration

4. How far is Macavity from the crime scene?
Ans. A mile away

5. What is he probably doing?
Ans He may be resting, or licking his thumb or performing tough division sums.

 

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