NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English Chapter 20 - Macavity—The Mystery Cat

Question 1:

Macavity is not an ordinary cat.

Answer:

TRUE

Question 2:

Macavity cannot do what a fakir can easily do.

Answer:

FALSE

Question 3:

Macavity has supernatural powers.

Answer:

TRUE

Question 4:

Macavity is well dressed, smart and bright.

Answer:

FALSE

Question 5:

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

Answer:

TRUE

Question 6:

“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?

Answer:

Macavity is breaking the law of gravity.

Question 7:

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

Answer:

Macavity is very tall and thin. His head is highly domed and his eyes are sunken. He never combs his whiskers or dusts his coat. He sways his head from side to side like a snake.

Question 8:

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?

Answer:

Yes, the poet is fond of cats. But he does not like Macavity as he is a big criminal. He dodges the police every time. So, he calls him a fiend and monster.

Question 9:

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

Answer:

Yes, the poet has used exaggeration for special effect. He has tried to show that Macavity has supernatural powers. The following lines support it:
(i) He breaks the law of gravity.
(ii) His powers of levitation would make a fakir stare.
(iii) You may seek him in the basement, you may look up in the air—
But I tell you once and once again Macavity is not there!