Macavity : The Mystery Cat : ncert solution class 8

Working with the poem;

1. Read the stanza and think.

(i) Is Macavity a cat really?

Ans:- Macavity is expressed as a cat but it is a criminal.

(ii) If not, who can Macavity be?

Ans:- If not, Macavity can be a criminal.

2. Complete the following sentences.

(i) A master criminal is one who is never caught.

(ii) The Scotland Yard is baffled because it is not able to catch Macavity.

(iii) Flying Squad is despairing because Macavity leaves the place before they reach the spot of crime.

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:-The Law of Gravitation.

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

Ans:-It is a ginger cat. It has sunken eyes with a high head. It looks dangerous with its wrinkled forehead. He has a dusty coat and uncombed hair but remains alert and moves his head from side to side very dangerously.

5. Say ‘False’ or ‘True’ for each of the following sentences.

(i) Macavity is not an ordinary cat.—True.

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

(iii) Macavity has supernatural powers.--False.

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

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

6. 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:-It seems the poet is fond of cats. The poet expresses the cat in a way that it is a great warrior. The poet calls Macavity a fiend and monster because of its skill of hunting. A cat must be a fiend of its prey and monster at the time of moral corruption.

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

Ans:- "For he's the master criminal who can defy the law".

"He's bafflement of Scotland Yard, the Flying Squad's despair".

"His power of levitation would make a fakir stare".

"For he's a fiend in feline shape, a monster of depravity".