Master the NCERT Exemplar Class 7 English Three MCQ questions to strengthen your understanding of Leo Tolstoy’s timeless moral tale and excel in your CBSE examinations.
The chapter “Three Questions” from the NCERT Class 7 English Honeycomb textbook presents one of Leo Tolstoy’s most thought-provoking short stories. This philosophical narrative follows a king’s quest for answers to three fundamental questions about life, time, and human relationships. For students following the CBSE curriculum 2025-26, mastering MCQs from this chapter is essential for comprehensive exam preparation.
Our carefully curated collection of NCERT Exemplar Class 7 English Three MCQ questions covers every aspect of the story—from plot details and character analysis to the deeper moral lessons Tolstoy intended to convey. Whether you are preparing for your term examinations or simply wish to test your understanding, these questions align perfectly with the assessment patterns recommended by NCERT.
NCERT Exemplar Class 7 English Three MCQ: Story Overview
Before attempting the MCQ quiz, understanding the complete narrative arc of “Three Questions” is crucial for answering comprehension-based questions accurately. The story, originally written by Russian author Leo Tolstoy, has been adapted in the NCERT Honeycomb textbook for Class 7 students.
The Three Questions: The king sought answers to three essential questions: (1) What is the right time to begin something? (2) Who are the right people to listen to? (3) What is the most important thing to do? These questions form the philosophical foundation of Tolstoy’s moral tale.
The narrative begins with a king who believes that knowing the answers to these three questions would ensure he never fails in any undertaking. He summons the wise men of his kingdom, promising a handsome reward to whoever provides satisfactory answers. However, their responses vary greatly—some suggest forming a council of advisors, others recommend following magicians or priests, while some advocate for preparing detailed timetables.
Dissatisfied with these conflicting answers, the king decides to consult a renowned hermit who lives in a forest and is known for his exceptional wisdom. The hermit has one peculiar rule—he only receives common people and never leaves his dwelling in the woods. This detail is frequently tested in MCQ questions, as it explains why the king disguises himself in simple clothes.
Students preparing for their CBSE Class 7 examinations should also explore NCERT Exemplar Class 6 English A Different Kind of School MCQ to understand how narrative-based questions are structured across different grade levels.
Key Characters and Their Significance in Three Questions
Understanding the characters is vital for answering NCERT Exemplar Class 7 English Three MCQ questions correctly. The story features three primary characters, each representing different aspects of human nature and moral philosophy.
Why This Matters: CBSE examiners frequently test students on character motivations and their symbolic roles. Understanding why each character behaves in a certain way helps you eliminate incorrect MCQ options quickly.
The King represents the eternal human quest for knowledge and certainty. Despite his power and wealth, he acknowledges his limitations and actively seeks wisdom. His humility in disguising himself as a common man and performing physical labour (digging the hermit’s garden) demonstrates that true learning requires setting aside pride and status.
The hermit serves as the embodiment of simple wisdom. His responses come not through lengthy philosophical discourses but through practical demonstration. He answers the king’s questions only after the king has experienced their meaning firsthand. This teaching methodology—learning through experience rather than mere instruction—is a central theme tested in MCQs.
The wounded man undergoes the most dramatic transformation in the story. Initially, he comes to the forest seeking revenge against the king for seizing his property and executing his brother. However, after the king saves his life by dressing his wounds throughout the night, he experiences a complete change of heart. This transformation from enemy to faithful servant illustrates Tolstoy’s message about the power of compassion and the importance of the present moment.
Important: Many MCQs test why the wounded man wanted to kill the king. Remember: the king had seized his property AND executed his brother. The man waited in ambush but was wounded by the king’s bodyguards before reaching his target.
Moral Lessons and Philosophical Themes
The philosophical depth of “Three Questions” makes it a favourite source for value-based MCQ questions in CBSE examinations. Tolstoy, through the hermit’s wisdom, provides answers that have remained relevant for over a century since the story was first published.
The hermit’s answer to the first question—”What is the most important time?”—is profoundly simple: Now. The present moment is the only time over which we have control. This answer connects to the king’s experience: had he not helped the hermit dig, he would have left before the wounded man arrived and might have been killed in the ambush on his return journey.
For the second question—”Who is the most important person?”—the hermit answers that it is the person you are currently with. The king’s compassionate treatment of the wounded stranger, despite not knowing his identity or intentions, saved his own life. This teaches students the importance of giving full attention and care to whoever is present before them.
The answer to the third question—”What is the most important deed?”—completes Tolstoy’s moral framework: to do good to the person you are with. This interconnected philosophy suggests that life’s meaning is found not in grand plans or distant goals but in our immediate actions towards those around us.
For students interested in exploring similar moral and philosophical themes, NCERT Exemplar Class 11 English Father to Son MCQ offers challenging questions on relationship dynamics and familial bonds.
NCERT Exemplar Class 7 English Three MCQ Practice Quiz
The following interactive quiz contains 18 carefully selected MCQs from the chapter “Three Questions.” These questions have been designed following the NCERT Exemplar pattern and cover factual recall, inferential understanding, and value-based assessment.
How to Use This Quiz: Read each question carefully before selecting your answer. Pay attention to negative words like “not” or “except” in questions. After completing the quiz, review incorrect answers by referring to the relevant sections of your NCERT Honeycomb textbook.
| Class | Subject | Total Questions | Total Units | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class VI | Mathematics | 319 | 25 | View → |
| Class VII | Mathematics | 600 | 19 | View → |
| Class VIII | Mathematics | 740 | 31 | View → |
| Class IX | Mathematics | 1,638 | 33 | View → |
| Class X | Mathematics | 1,944 | 34 | View → |
| Class XI | Mathematics | 857 | 38 | View → |
| Class XII | Mathematics | 788 | 56 | View → |
Students who score above 15 marks in this NCERT Exemplar Class 7 English Three MCQ quiz have demonstrated solid comprehension of the chapter. Those seeking additional practice can attempt questions from NCERT Exemplar Class 6 English A Game of Chance MCQ to strengthen their overall English MCQ-solving skills.
Important MCQ Patterns and Preparation Tips
Analysis of previous CBSE Class 7 English question papers reveals specific patterns in how MCQs from “Three Questions” are framed. Understanding these patterns helps students anticipate question types and prepare strategically for their 2025-26 examinations.
Factual Questions test direct recall from the text. Examples include: “Where did the hermit live?”, “How did the king disguise himself?”, and “Who attacked the wounded man?” These questions require students to remember specific details from the story.
Inferential Questions require students to understand implied meanings. Questions like “Why was the king unsatisfied with the wise men’s answers?” or “What does the hermit’s silence during digging suggest?” test deeper comprehension skills.
Value-Based Questions assess understanding of moral lessons. The CBSE curriculum emphasises these questions as they align with the National Education Policy’s focus on holistic learning. Examples include questions about forgiveness, compassion, and the importance of present-moment awareness.
Why This Matters: In competitive examinations and school tests alike, students who understand the examiner’s perspective score significantly higher. Practising different question types builds the analytical skills necessary for academic success.
When preparing for NCERT Exemplar Class 7 English Three MCQ assessments, create a chapter summary noting key events, characters, and quotes. The hermit’s final answers—particularly the phrases “the most important time is now” and “do good to the one you are with”—frequently appear as MCQ options or form the basis of correct answers.
Students advancing to higher classes may find NCERT Exemplar Class 11 English Silk Road MCQ helpful for understanding how narrative complexity increases in senior secondary English literature.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main theme centres on finding the most important time (now), the most important person (the one you are with), and the most important deed (doing good to others). Tolstoy emphasises living in the present moment and practising compassion through the hermit’s profound answers to the king’s philosophical questions.
The king visited the hermit because wise men in his kingdom gave conflicting answers to his three questions. The hermit was renowned for his wisdom, though he only received common people, prompting the king to dress simply and leave his bodyguards behind to meet him.
The quiz contains 18 multiple choice questions covering story comprehension, character motivations, moral values, and key events from the chapter Three Questions. Each question is aligned with the NCERT Exemplar pattern for CBSE Class 7 examinations.