Comprehension check:-

Working with the poem :-

Q 1. Read the first stanza and think.

(i) Is Macavity a cat really?

Ans.  No, Macavity is not really a cat.

(ii) If not, who can Macavity be?

Ans. Macavity can be a master criminal.

Q.2  Complete the following sentences.

(i) A master criminal is one who _____________________.

(ii) The Scotland Yard is baffled because _____________________.

(iii) _____________________because Macavity moves much faster than them.

Ans. (i) A master criminal is one who commits a crime and leave no sign behind.

(ii) The Scotland Yard is baffled because they do not find Macavity at the scene of crime.

(iii) The Flying Squad cannot catch him because Macavity moves faster than them.

Q 3.  “A cat, I am sure, could walk on a cloud without coming through”. (Jules Verne)

Which law is Macavity breaking in the light of the comment above?

Ans. In this comment, Macavity is breaking the law of gravitation.

Q4. Read stanza 3, and then, describe Macavity in two or three sentences of your own.

Ans. Macavity is a very clever cat. He is tall and thin. He has sunken eyes. His head is highly domed. His whiskers are uncombed.

Q5. Say ‘False’ or ‘True’ for each of the following statements.

(i) Macavity is not an ordinary cat.

Ans. True

(ii) Macavity cannot do what a fakir can easily do.

 Ans. False

(iii) Macavity has supernatural powers.

Ans. True

(iv) Macavity is well-dressed, smart and bright.

Ans. False

(v) Macavity is a spy, a trickster and a criminal, all rolled in one.

Ans. True

Q6. Having read the poem, try to guess whether the poet is fond of cats. If so, why does he call Macavity a fiend and monster?

Ans. Yes, the poet adores cats. But he despises Macavity because he is a master criminal. He commits heinous crimes. As a result, the poet refers to him as a fiend and a monster.

Q7. Has the poet used exaggeration for special effect? Find a few examples of it and read those lines aloud.

Ans. Yes , the poet has used exaggeration for special effects. For example:-

• His levitation abilities would make a fakir envious.
• Because he is a feline friend.
• A depraved monster.
• You can look for him in the basement or up in the sky.