Class 7 English - TAMILNADU
Prose: The Tunnel
The chapter 'The Tunnel' from Class 7 English (Samacheer Kalvi) is an exciting adventure story written by Ruskin Bond. It revolves around a brave twelve-year-old boy named Bimal, who lives near a railway cutting in the foothills of the Himalayas. Every day, his father, a watchman, inspects the railway tunnel to ensure the tracks are safe for the oncoming night mail train. One evening, Bimal takes a lantern to meet his father and faces a sudden, terrifying jungle danger inside the dark tunnel. This chapter teaches students about courage, responsibility, and alertness, and is a favorite in board exams for comprehension and character sketching questions.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Setting and Atmosphere
The story is set in the scenic yet mysterious foothills of the Himalayas near a lonely railway tunnel, creating a tense and adventurous mood.
Bimal's Courage and Duty
Bimal, despite his young age of twelve, shows immense bravery by walking alone through the dark jungle to deliver food and a lantern to his father.
The Role of the Watchman
Bimal's father represents dedication to duty, working diligently in remote and hazardous conditions to ensure the safety of train passengers.
The Climax and Danger
The sudden appearance of a leopard inside the tunnel tests Bimal's presence of mind, highlighting the man-versus-nature conflict in the story.
Bond's Descriptive Style
Ruskin Bond uses vivid imagery to describe the sounds of the jungle, the chugging of the train, and the eerie darkness of the tunnel.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In Tamil Nadu (Samacheer Kalvi) Class 7 English exams, this prose chapter typically carries around 5 to 10 marks. Questions usually include reading comprehension passages, vocabulary exercises (synonyms and antonyms from the text), short answer questions about Bimal's adventure, and paragraph questions focusing on character traits or the summary of the story.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the author of the story 'The Tunnel'?
The story is written by the famous Indian-British author Ruskin Bond, known for his enchanting tales set in the Himalayas.
Why does Bimal walk to the tunnel every evening?
Bimal walks to the tunnel to take dinner and a lantern to his father, who works as a night-shift watchman guarding the railway tracks.
What dangerous animal does Bimal encounter in the tunnel?
Bimal encounters a leopard inside the dark tunnel, but fortunately, the loud noise of the approaching night mail train frightens the animal away.
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