ANIMALS, BIRDS, AND DR. DOLITTLE

by

Page 1: Let us do these activities before we read

  1. Do you have a pet or a domestic animal? If yes, why? If not, why not?
    Answer: Yes, I have a pet dog because he is playful and loving, and he makes me happy. Taking care of him has taught me to be responsible.

How do people usually spend time with a pet or domestic animal?
Answer:
• Playing with them at home or in a park.
• Taking them for walks.
• Feeding them their favourite food.
• Cuddling and petting them.
• Teaching them new tricks.

  1. If you had a chance to communicate with an animal or a bird, who would you like to speak to and why?
    Answer: I would like to speak to a dolphin and ask about the secrets of the deep ocean and what it feels like to swim so fast and leap out of the water.

III. If we closely observe the body language of animals and birds, we can understand what they want to tell us. Study the pictures and find the emotions:
Answer:

  1. Duck: Angry—furrowed “eyebrows,” open beak as if shouting.
  2. Cat: Frightened—arched back, fur standing on end, hissing.
  3. Dog: Happy and friendly—big “smile,” tongue out.
  4. Parrot: Proud/surprised—standing tall, chest out, one wing lifted.

Page 4: Let us discuss

  1. Complete the sentence: The Cat’s-food-Man suggests Doctor Dolittle become an animal doctor because he believes Dolittle…
    Answer: 4. knows more about animals than the local veterinarians.
  2. Fill in the blanks: Doctor Dolittle reacts to Polynesia’s information about animal languages with both excitement and curiosity. He rushes to write the bird words she provides and is interested in learning more.

III. Do you think Doctor Dolittle would be famous as an animal doctor? Why/why not?
Answer: Yes. He can talk to animals, so they can tell him their problems directly. This helps him diagnose and cure them easily.

Page 7: Let us discuss

  1. What became a common sight in Puddleby after Doctor Dolittle started treating animals?
    Answer: 2. Farm animals wearing glasses.
  2. What challenges might Doctor Dolittle face if more animals come to him for help?
    Answer:
    • Limited space—house and garden may get crowded.
    • Limited time—he may not manage to see everyone.
    • Medicines—hard to source or prepare for many species.
    • Managing different animals together—risk of conflicts (e.g., cats and mice).
    He can expand the clinic, create separate sections, and hire helpers.

Page 8: Let us think and reflect

III. Arrange the events in the correct order:
Answer:

  1. A man with a stomach-ache tells Doctor Dolittle he should treat animals.
  2. Polynesia encourages him to become an animal doctor, revealing animals can talk.
  3. Polynesia teaches him animal languages; he starts communicating with animals.
  4. He stops treating people and becomes an animal doctor.
  5. Word spreads; people bring their pets and farm animals to him.
  6. A plough horse with vision problems visits; he prescribes green spectacles.
  7. His ability to communicate helps him diagnose and treat effectively.
  8. Animals from near and far crowd his garden for help.
  9. He installs special doors for different animals to enter.
  10. He gains fame among animals worldwide.

Pages 8 & 9: Let us think and reflect

Extract 1
(i) Replace “Good Gracious!” with: gosh!
(ii) Why had Polynesia never used bird language with the Doctor earlier?
Answer: Because he would not have understood her.
(iii) True or False: Polynesia had been munching on a food item while talking.
Answer: True—she dusted cracker crumbs off her left wing.
(iv) How did Doctor Dolittle feel?
Answer: B. surprised (and excited/curious).

Extract 2
(i) Complete the analogy: digging : flower bed :: ploughing : field.
(ii) Doctor Dolittle’s attitude is: C. understanding.
(iii) Complete the sentence: Doctors take animals for granted because the animals don’t complain or cannot explain their problems in human language.
(iv) Do you agree with the concluding sentence? Why/why not?
Answer: Yes. It can be harder to be a good animal doctor because animals cannot describe symptoms directly, so the doctor must infer problems through observation and skill.

Page 9: Let us think and reflect — II. Answer the following questions

  1. How can we say that Polynesia was a good trainer of animal language?
    Answer: Polynesia trained Doctor Dolittle so well that he could speak to animals and understand them. She began with the basics like the “Birds’ A.B.C.” and explained that animals also communicate with ears, feet, and tails.
  2. Explain how Doctor Dolittle gave equal and individual attention to each animal.
    Answer: When his garden got crowded, he built separate doors for different animals—one for horses, one for cows, one for sheep—and even a tiny tunnel to the cellar for mice. This showed care for every creature, big or small.
  3. How does Dolittle’s readiness to follow the parrot’s advice highlight the importance of listening to different viewpoints?
    Answer: Though already a successful people’s doctor, he listened to the Cat’s-food-Man and Polynesia, discovered his unique talent with animals, and became even more effective and famous. Listening to unusual ideas can open new opportunities.
  4. Which qualities of Doctor Dolittle made him famous among animals? Explain with evidence.
    Answer:
    Ability to communicate: He spoke animal languages, so they could tell him “where the pain was and how they felt.”
    • Kindness and understanding: He took every problem seriously—e.g., he promptly arranged green spectacles for the plough horse.
    • Medical skill: Because he understood them, it was easy for him to cure them, and cured animals spread the word.
  5. What changes might happen if people could understand and communicate with animals?
    Answer:
    People would treat animals with more kindness and respect.
    • Zoos might change or close if animals were unhappy.
    • Humans and animals could partner to protect nature and solve problems (e.g., search and rescue).
    • We’d learn far more about nature directly from animals.

Pages 10 & 11: Let us learn

  1. Complete the table (from the given word box)

Box: sailor song, teatime, check-in, plough horse, harvest mice, windowsill, well-bred

Hyphenated Words Open Compound Words Closed Compound Words
check-in sailor song teatime
well-bred plough horse windowsill
harvest mice
  1. Create compound words and complete the paragraph

Matching words:
fun + loving → fun-loving
high + flying → high-flying
never + ending → never-ending
early + risers → early-risers
song + birds → songbirds
over + head → overhead
tree + tops → treetops

Paragraph (completed):
After being treated by Doctor Dolittle, the A. fun-loving dolphins danced playfully in his sanctuary. The B. never-ending chatter of monkeys echoed through the C. treetops, their ailments cured. D. High-flying eagles soared gracefully E. overhead, their health restored. F. Songbirds chirped joyfully among the G. early-risers from the branches. All creatures were happy with Doctor Dolittle’s care.

III. Underline (identify) the hidden animal names

  1. Dolittle was eating oatmeal for his breakfast. → goat (…eating oatmeal…)
  2. Old ladies began to bring him their pets. → ant (began to)
  3. The author sees the connection between humans and animals. → hen (the nection)
  4. The three baby dinosaurs are from ice age. → mice (from ice)
  5. The patients who came late didn’t know where to go. → camel (…came late…)
  6. Identify palindrome words and sentences
  7. Step on no pets. → Palindrome sentence
  8. Naman saw a racecar at the show. → Palindrome words: Naman, racecar
  9. Nitin speaks in Malayalam. → Palindrome words: Nitin, Malayalam
  10. The engineer used a rotator to check the surface level. → Palindrome words: rotator, level
  11. The pilot relied on the radar to navigate safely. → Palindrome word: radar
  12. Eva, can I see bees in a cave? → Palindrome sentence

Page 12: Let us learn

  1. Underline the verbs and identify the tense
  2. He is asking you a question. → Present Continuous
  3. Oh, there are plenty of animal doctors. → Simple Present
  4. I am going blind in one eye. → Present Continuous
  5. … the trouble is that anybody thinks he can doctor animals. → Simple Present

Fill in the blanks (present perfect):
Since becoming an animal doctor, Doctor Dolittle 1) has learned to communicate with all animals and birds. He 2) has treated countless farm animals and pets with care. The parrot, Polynesia, 3) has taught him bird-language, and he 4) has written books about his adventures. Many people 5) have brought their sick animals to his door. Over the years, Dolittle 6) has become renowned worldwide for his unique abilities.

Page 13: Let us listen

  1. I) You will listen to an announcement and mark True/False:
    Statement: Dolittle’s new clinic presents an offer of free medicines.
    Answer: Requires listening to the audio.
  2. II) Listen again and fill the details with one or two exact words:
  3. The new clinic is located in the town of __________.
  4. The address is 12, __________ Lane.
  5. The clinic is open Monday to Friday from __________ a.m. to 5 p.m.
  6. Special timings for __________ are on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  7. Dolittle will ensure that animals get the __________.
  8. All animals—horses, cows, __________, wild animals, and others—are welcome.
    Answer: Requires listening to the audio. (Context guess: 1) Puddleby; 6) dogs.)

Page 14: Let us speak

Conversation between a doctor and a patient (Cough & Cold):

Doctor: Good morning! Please come in and have a seat.
Patient: Good morning, Doctor. Thank you.
Doctor: What seems to be the problem?
Patient: I have a bad cough and a running nose.
Doctor: Do you have any other symptoms—fever or headache?
Patient: A slight headache, and my throat feels sore.
Doctor: It sounds like a common cold. Take a mix of ginger juice and honey to soothe your throat.
Patient: Okay, Doctor. Anything else?
Doctor: Drink plenty of warm fluids like water and soup, and get enough rest.
Patient: When should I return for a check-up?
Doctor: Come back after three days if you don’t feel better.
Patient: Thank you for your advice.
Doctor: You’re welcome. Take care.

Page 15: Let us write

NOTICE (completed draft)

Name of the School
NOTICE
12 July 20XX

Annual Health Check-up

This is to inform all the students of Grades 6–8 about the Annual Health Check-up.
Date: 27 and 28 July 20XX
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Venue: Assembly Hall

All students are requested to bring their health card for the check-up. For queries or further details, please contact the undersigned.

Asma
In-charge

Page 16: Let us explore

  1. I) Plan a visit to a goshala (cowshed) and note care practices:
    Cows live in clean, spacious sheds; are fed grass, hay, and balanced cattle feed; have constant access to fresh water; and receive medical care when sick or old. Many goshalas are volunteer-run and focused on protection and welfare.
  2. II) Organisations in India working for animal welfare:
    People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India
    • People for Animals (PFA)
    • Wildlife SOS
    • Blue Cross of India
    • Bombay Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BSPCA)

III) Best way to care for stray and abandoned animals (choose with reasons):

  1. Provide food and water: A kind first step, but temporary.
  2. Take them to an animal shelter: Strong option if you can’t adopt; shelters offer safety, vet care, and adoption efforts.
  3. Adopt them: Best outcome if you’re ready for the long-term responsibility; gives the animal a permanent, loving home.

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