Chapter 1: The Tiny Teacher

English - An Alien Hand • Class 7

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Chapter Analysis

Beginner6 pages • English

Quick Summary

The chapter 'The Tiny Teacher' explores the life of ants, highlighting their intelligence, hard work, and structured way of living. Ants, though small, live in complex societies within anthills, with clear roles for workers, soldiers, and a queen. The narrative also draws human parallels and suggests that people could learn discipline, teamwork, and care from these small creatures. The chapter emphasizes the peace and order within an anthill and the diligence of ants in carrying out their tasks.

Key Topics

  • Ant society and their roles
  • Communication among ants
  • Ant life cycle
  • Anthill structure and inhabitants
  • Human parallels with ant behavior
  • Roles within an ant colony
  • Queen ant's lifecycle
  • Discipline and teamwork in ants

Learning Objectives

  • Understand the structure of an ant society and the roles of different ants.
  • Learn how ants communicate and cooperate within their colony.
  • Explore the lifecycle of ants and their developmental stages.
  • Identify the various creatures residing in an anthill and their symbiotic relationships with ants.
  • Draw parallels between human social structures and ant colonies.
  • Appreciate the values of hard work and discipline as demonstrated by ants.

Questions in Chapter

How long does it take for a grub to become a complete ant?

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Why do the worker ants carry the grubs about?

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What jobs are new ants trained for?

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Name some other creatures that live in anthills.

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Mention three things we can learn from the ‘tiny teacher’. Give reasons for choosing these items.

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Additional Practice Questions

Describe the role of the queen ant in the colony.

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Answer: The queen ant is responsible for laying eggs and is the mother of the entire colony. She has wings which she sheds after her 'wedding' flight, focusing solely on reproduction.

How do ants communicate with each other, and what can this teach humans?

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Answer: Ants communicate using their feelers or antennae, which they use to touch and pass messages. This method teaches humans about non-verbal communication and cooperation.

Why do ants need other creatures like beetles and greenflies in their nests?

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Answer: Ants keep creatures like greenflies because they provide benefits such as sweet juices, pleasant smells, and sometimes as playthings, just like humans keep pets.

Explain the life cycle of an ant as described in the chapter.

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Answer: The life cycle of an ant begins with the queen laying eggs. These eggs hatch into grubs, which then become cocoons, and finally mature into adult ants ready for training and duties.

Discuss the structured roles within an ant colony.

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Answer: Ant colonies have a highly structured society with specific roles such as workers searching for food, soldiers guarding the nest, and the queen laying eggs. Each ant fulfills its role without overlapping duties, maintaining harmony.