‘Chill Pill’ Grade 7 Question & Answers, summary & word meanings: The story ‘Chill Pill’ by Sukumar Ray, humorously explores Kedar Babu’s struggles with anger and the unexpected outcomes of his attempts at self-control. The title “Chill Pill” reflects the ironic challenges he faces in finding a remedy for his intense rage.
Glossary Notes:
- Short-tempered: Easily angered or irritable.
- Loses his temper: Becomes angry and agitated.
- Loses all his sense: Loses control over his emotions and reasoning.
- Gloomy: Sullen or despondent; showing a lack of hope or enthusiasm.
- Face like thunder: A facial expression indicating extreme anger or displeasure.
- Silver-plated hookah: A hookah is a smoking device used for vaporizing or smoking flavored tobacco. Silver-plated refers to a layer of silver coating the surface for decorative purposes.
- Like lightning: A simile suggesting intense and sudden anger, similar to a lightning strike.
- Junior teacher: A teacher in a lower position or with less experience.
- Break into seven pieces: To shatter into seven fragments; indicating severe damage.
- Not made of glass or mud: An expression emphasizing the durability or sturdiness of the hookah, suggesting it shouldn’t have broken easily.
- Flaming coals: Burning pieces of coal.
- Flaming blister: A blister (छाला, फफोला) caused by exposure to a burning or heated object.
- Cudgel: A short, thick stick used as a weapon.
- Wretched:
- Smithereens: Small, tiny pieces; fragments.
- Real villain: The true culprit or cause of trouble.
- Curbing: Controlling or restraining.
- That’s easy to say and hard to do: A common expression indicating that giving advice is simple, but implementing it can be challenging.
- My rage isn’t the kind I can cage: Kedar Babu is expressing that his anger is not easily controlled or contained.
- A way out: A solution or strategy to overcome a problem.
- Counting up to ten: A common technique to manage anger by taking a moment to calm down and regain composure.
- Gradually subsides: Slowly decreases or lessens.
- Kind of temper: Refers to the nature or intensity of one’s anger.
- Count all the way up to a hundred: Suggests a more extended period of counting to manage intense anger.
- See if it works: Test the effectiveness of the suggested method.
- Break: A period of time when a group of people, especially students, have a temporary interruption from their usual activities.
- Marble: A small, spherical ball used in games, often made of glass or other materials.
- Shin bone: The front part of the leg below the knee.
- Leap: A sudden jump or bound.
- As high as the school roof: A hyperbolic expression indicating a very high jump.
- Walking stick: A stick carried in the hand for support while walking.
- Decamped: Suddenly left or departed.
- Took to their heels: Ran away hastily.
- Vanished: Disappeared suddenly.
- Deserted: Empty or abandoned.
- Muttering numbers to himself: Speaking in a low voice, counting numbers quietly.
- Frothing and fuming inside: Experiencing intense anger internally.
- The crowd fell silent: The people observing the situation became quiet and stopped talking.
- After a bit: After a short period of time.
- Boiled over: Reached a point of extreme anger or frustration.
- Growing bustle: Increasing noise and activity.
- The teacher came out to see the reason behind the crowd: The teacher emerges to understand why there is a gathering in the field.
- Almost finished counting: Kedar Babu is nearing the end of his counting.
- His eyes were red with anger: A metaphorical expression indicating intense anger.
- Waving his stick around: Moving the walking stick in a threatening manner.
- Ninety-seven, ninety-eight, ninety-nine, hundred: Kedar Babu completes his counting.
- Raging with anger: Experiencing intense, uncontrolled anger.
- Started hitting right and left with his stick: Kedar Babu begins to physically express his anger by hitting in different directions with his walking stick.
Summary
Kedar Babu, known for his short temper, experiences a chain of events that tests his patience. Frustration sets in when his beloved silver-plated hookah breaks into pieces. Seeking solace, he recounts the incident to a junior teacher, highlighting the absurdity of the situation. The teacher suggests counting to manage anger, but when Kedar Babu applies this advice in public, chaos ensues. Hit by a marble, he starts counting aloud, creating confusion. The crowd, fearing his unpredictable behaviour, disperses. The teacher’s advice backfires, leaving Kedar Babu, with his uncontrollable rage, at the centre of a humorous yet chaotic episode.
Comprehension
B. Answer the following questions briefly.
- Why was Kedar Babu looking gloomy?
- What was the real reason behind Kedar Babu’s hookah breaking into pieces?
- What was the ‘way out’ suggested by the teacher, here?
- What did Kedar Babu do when he was hit by the marble?
- Why did the crowd run away?
- Why did the teacher dash to the classroom?
Answers:
- Kedar Babu was looking gloomy because his silver-plated hookah had broken into seven pieces.
- In the morning, while trying to have a smoke, the bowl tipped over, and the flaming coals fell on the floor. In the rush to pick them up, he got a flaming blister on his hand. In anger, he ended up smashing the hookah with a cudgel.
- The teacher suggested that when Kedar Babu gets angry, he should count slowly up to ten. For Kedar’s intense anger, the teacher recommended counting all the way up to a hundred.
- When Kedar Babu was hit by the marble, he remembered the teacher’s advice and started counting to calm his anger. However, it didn’t seem to work, and he ended up hitting people with his walking stick in a fit of rage.
- The crowd ran away because Kedar Babu, in an attempt to control his anger, was counting aloud in a strange manner. When he started hitting with his stick, people got scared and fled.
- The reason for the teacher dashing to the classroom is not mentioned in the provided text.
B. Answer these questions with reference to the context.
1. That’s easy to say and hard to do.’
- Who is the speaker of this sentence?
- What does ‘that’ refer to?
- Did the speaker try doing ‘that’?
2. In a flash, all the boys decamped, took to their heels, and vanished.
- Why did the boys run away?
- What happened after the boys ran away?
- What does ‘took to their heels’ mean?
3. ‘Listen, mister, why are you behaving so strangely?’
- Who does ‘mister’ refer to here?
- What was he doing?
- Why was he ‘behaving so strangely’?
Answers:
1. That’s easy to say and hard to do.’
- The speaker is Kedar Babu.
- ‘That’ refers to controlling his temper.
- In fact not, but Kedar Babu did attempt the ‘way out’ trick to control his temper.
2. In a flash, all the boys decamped, took to their heels, and vanished.
- The boys ran away because a marble hit Kedar Babu, and he was about to react angrily with his walking stick.
- After the boys ran away, Kedar Babu continued counting, and the situation escalated.
- ‘Took to their heels’ means the boys ran away quickly.
3. ‘Listen, mister, why are you behaving so strangely?’
- ‘Mister’ refers to Kedar Babu.
- He was behaving strangely by counting aloud in an unusual way.
- He was trying to follow the teacher’s advice to control his anger by counting, but it appeared odd to onlookers.
Short Answers:
- ‘That’s easy to say and hard to do.’
- a. Who is the speaker of this sentence?
- Kedar Babu.
- b. What does ‘that’ refer to?
- Controlling his temper.
- c. Did the speaker try doing ‘that’?
- The text doesn’t explicitly mention if Kedar Babu attempted to control his temper.
- a. Who is the speaker of this sentence?
- In a flash, all the boys decamped, took to their heels, and vanished.
- a. Why did the boys run away?
- A marble hit Kedar Babu, and he was about to react angrily.
- b. What happened after the boys ran away?
- Kedar Babu continued counting, and the situation escalated.
- c. What does ‘took to their heels’ mean?
- The boys ran away quickly.
- a. Why did the boys run away?
- ‘Listen, mister, why are you behaving so strangely?’
- a. Who does ‘mister’ refer to here?
- Kedar Babu.
- b. What was he doing?
- Counting aloud in an unusual way.
- c. Why was he ‘behaving so strangely’?
- Trying to follow the teacher’s advice to control anger, which seemed odd to onlookers.
- a. Who does ‘mister’ refer to here?
C. Answer these questions.
1. Rewrite these sentences in the correct order.
- a. Kedar Babu had a blister on his hand.
- b. The bowl of the hookah toppled.
- c. He quickly picked up the coals.
- d. The burning coals fell on the ground.
2. Explain the sentence: rage isn’t the kind I can cage.
3. Do you think the teacher gave Kedar Babu a good advice? Give reasons.
4. How did different people react when they saw Kedar Babu counting;
5. Why did someone want to call a doctor?
6. Imagine that you were watching Kedar Babu from the time he was passing by the school till the crowd ran away. Write the whole sequence of events. Include your thoughts and feelings.
7. Continue the story and write a paragraph describing what could have happened to Kedar Babu after everyone ran away.
8. Do you think the title of the story is appropriate? Justify your answer.
Answers:
- Correct order:
- d. The burning coals fell on the ground.
- b. The bowl of the hookah toppled.
- c. He quickly picked up the coals.
- a. Kedar Babu had a blister on his hand.
- In this sentence, Kedar Babu is expressing that his anger is not the type that can be easily controlled or confined. The metaphorical use of “cage” implies that his rage is wild and uncontrollable, suggesting that conventional methods of managing anger might not work for him.
- The teacher’s advice to count slowly when angry is a common technique for anger management. However, given the intensity of Kedar Babu’s anger, the teacher acknowledges that counting to ten or twenty might not be enough and suggests counting all the way up to a hundred. While the advice is sound in theory, its effectiveness depends on the individual’s ability to apply it. In Kedar Babu’s case, the humor in the story arises from the fact that the advice doesn’t seem to work as intended.
- The crowd fell silent at first, and then one person asked if Kedar Babu was ill and if they should call a doctor. As Kedar Babu continued counting, the crowd grew, and the bustle increased. People began to find his behavior strange, with one person questioning why he was behaving oddly. The watchman also got worried and called others for assistance, leading to confusion and concern among the onlookers.
- Someone wanted to call a doctor because Kedar Babu’s behavior, counting aloud in a seemingly strange manner, raised concerns among the onlookers. They thought he might be ill or experiencing a mental health issue, prompting the suggestion to call a doctor.
- As I observed Kedar Babu passing by the school during break, he seemed visibly upset. Suddenly, a marble hit him, and he began counting aloud as advised by the teacher. The initial silence of the crowd turned into a growing bustle. His counting became a spectacle, and people, including the watchman, gathered, expressing confusion and concern. The situation escalated as Kedar Babu’s counting continued, and the crowd, now alarmed, eventually ran away, leaving him in the field, seemingly still angry. The sequence of events left me bemused, wondering about the effectiveness of the teacher’s advice and the humor in the unfolding drama.
- After everyone ran away, Kedar Babu, fueled by his lingering anger, found himself alone in the deserted field. His frustration and rage had not subsided despite the attempt to count. In the solitude, he might have reflected on the advice given by the teacher and the peculiar turn of events. Whether he continued to vent his anger or eventually found a more effective way to calm himself remained uncertain. The episode left an amusing yet thought-provoking mark on Kedar Babu’s day, highlighting the unpredictable nature of managing one’s emotions.
- Yes, the title “Chill Pill” is appropriate for the story. The title captures the essence of the narrative, where Kedar Babu, struggling with his temper, attempts various methods to calm himself, including the teacher’s advice to count. The humorous twist in the events, however, suggests that finding a “chill pill” or a quick remedy for anger is not always straightforward or effective, adding a touch of irony to the title.
Short Answers:
2. Explain the sentence: rage isn’t the kind I can cage.
Ans. Kedar Babu is expressing that his anger is not easily controllable or restrained. The metaphor “cage” suggests that his rage is intense and unruly, and conventional methods of controlling anger may not be effective in his case.
3. Do you think the teacher gave Kedar Babu good advice? Give reasons.
Ans. The teacher’s advice has a practical approach, suggesting counting to manage anger. However, it seems inadequate for Kedar Babu’s intense temper, as evident from the later events. While the advice is reasonable, it may not be sufficient for individuals with exceptionally strong emotions.
4. How did different people react when they saw Kedar Babu counting?
Ans. People reacted with confusion and concern. Some wanted to call a doctor, and others questioned Kedar Babu’s strange behavior, highlighting the humor and unexpectedness of the situation.
5. Why did someone want to call a doctor?
Ans. Someone wanted to call a doctor because Kedar Babu’s counting and strange behavior seemed unusual and possibly indicated an issue or illness, adding a comedic element to the scene.
6. Imagine that you were watching Kedar Babu from passing by the school until the crowd ran away. Write the whole sequence of events. Include your thoughts and feelings.
Ans. As I observed Kedar Babu passing by the school, his gloomy expression hinted at a brewing storm. The sudden hit with a marble triggered an unexpected reaction. His attempt to count to control anger turned comical, leaving the crowd bewildered. The teacher’s advice seemed futile. The chaotic scene evoked a mix of amusement and concern, witnessing a man grappling with his emotions in a public spectacle.
7. Continue the story and write a paragraph describing what could have happened to Kedar Babu after everyone ran away.
Ans. After everyone ran away, Kedar Babu, still in the grip of anger, might have found himself alone in the deserted field. Frustration and confusion could have intensified, leading to a moment of self-realization. Perhaps, he would reflect on the teacher’s advice and the ineffectiveness of his usual coping mechanisms. This might set the stage for Kedar Babu to explore alternative ways to manage his temper and eventually find a more constructive approach.
8. Do you think the title of the story is appropriate? Justify your answer.
Ans. Yes, the title “Chill Pill” is appropriate as it reflects the theme of the story—Kedar Babu’s struggle to control his temper. The title uses a colloquial expression, “Chill Pill,” often implying the need to calm down, aligning well with the narrative of managing anger and its consequences in a humorous manner.
Vocabulary
A. Match the idioms to their meanings. Then, make sentences using any five of the idioms.
Answer:
Matching the idioms to their meanings:
| Idioms | Meanings |
|---|---|
| Blow a fuse | To become very angry or upset |
| Pain in the neck | Someone or something that is very annoying |
| Get off my back | To tell someone to stop criticizing you |
| Drive up the wall | To annoy or frustrate someone to the point of exasperation |
| Like a bear with a sore head | To treat others badly because of your bad mood |
| Lock daggers | To stare at someone in a very angry way |
Here are sample sentences using five of the idioms:
- I blew a fuse when I found out that my flight was cancelled.
- My neighbour’s dog is a real pain in the neck as It barks all night long.
- I had to tell my boss to get off my back about the project. I’m doing the best I can.
- The constant noise from the construction site is driving me up the wall.
- The fighters locked daggers in a desperate struggle for victory..
Character Sketch
Q. Analyze the characte Kedar Babu with reference to the lesson ‘Chill Pill’.
Answers:
We are giveing versions of answers here to help students as well as teachers. Any one can be chosen.
Very shorts answer
Kedar Babu is a character marked by his short temper, frustration, and humorous attempts at anger management. The narrative uses his character to explore the challenges of controlling intense emotions, infusing both comedy and irony into the story.
Short Answer 1
Kedar Babu in “Chill Pill” is a character with a short temper and a funny way of dealing with his anger. He easily gets frustrated, as seen when his silver hookah breaks. Despite attempts to control his temper, he struggles, leading to comical situations. Kedar’s impulsive actions, like smashing the hookah, highlight his inability to manage anger conventionally. The character adds humor to the story through his exaggerated expressions and attempts at calming down. Despite his flaws, Kedar Babu teaches a lesson about the challenges of controlling intense emotions and the importance of finding lightheartedness in difficult moments.
Short Answer 2
Kedar Babu is a character in “Chill Pill” who easily gets mad and does funny things. He becomes very frustrated when his favorite thing, a silver hookah, breaks. Even when a teacher suggests counting to calm down, it’s hard for him. When a marble hits him, he starts counting loudly, scaring everyone away. Kedar is funny because he struggles to control his temper. His actions, like smashing the hookah, show he has trouble dealing with anger. Despite this, Kedar teaches us that it’s okay to make mistakes and find laughter even in tough times.
Long Answer
Kedar Babu, the central character in the story “Chill Pill,” is portrayed as a short-tempered and easily agitated individual. Several aspects of his character can be analyzed:
Short-Tempered Nature:
- Kedar Babu’s short temper is a defining trait. His anger is depicted vividly, and when he loses control, he becomes impulsive, leading to drastic actions like smashing his prized hookah.
Inability to Control Anger:
- Despite attempts to control his anger, Kedar Babu struggles. The teacher’s advice to count to manage anger becomes a humorous element in the story as Kedar Babu’s intense rage seems beyond the conventional remedies.
Sense of Frustration:
- Kedar Babu’s frustration is evident through his interactions and reactions. His gloomy demeanor at the beginning of the story and the way he narrates the incidents reflect a sense of helplessness in managing his temper.
Comic Element:
- The character of Kedar Babu adds a comedic touch to the narrative. His exaggerated expressions of anger, coupled with the ironic outcomes of his attempts to control it, create humor in the story.
Symbolism through Hookah:
- Kedar Babu’s silver-plated hookah serves as a symbol of his attachment and the trigger for his anger. Its destruction symbolizes the fragility of his emotional state.
Irony in the Title:
- The title “Chill Pill” adds irony to Kedar Babu’s character. Despite attempts to find a remedy for his anger, he struggles, and the title becomes a playful reflection of the challenges he faces in calming his temperament.
Audience Reaction:
- The reactions of the people around Kedar Babu, such as the junior teacher, the boys playing in the field, and the watchman, highlight how his temper affects those in his vicinity. The crowd’s fear and confusion add to the comedic element.