“The Spider and the Fly Questions Answers Class 7 DAV” provides a concise analysis of the poem. It helps Class 7 DAV students understand themes, literary devices, and the poem’s moral lesson.
About the Author
Mary Howitt (12 March 1799-30 January 1888) was an English Love poet and author of the famous poem The Spider and the Fly’. She was educated at home, and read widely, she commenced writing verses at a very early age. Mary had a keen observation, an eye for detail, and a wit that made her poems delightful.
Summary of the Poem, “The Spider and the Fly“
Ans: In The Spider and the Fly by Mary Howitt, a sly spider tries to lure a cautious fly into his web using different tricks and sweet talk. He first invites her to see his “pretty little parlour” and tempting “winding stair,” but the fly, aware of the danger, refuses, knowing that no one who enters ever returns.
The spider then offers her a cozy bed to rest on, with fine sheets, but again she declines, as she has heard that those who lie in his bed never wake up. He even tempts her with delicious food from his pantry, which she also wisely rejects.
Finally, the spider changes tactics and flatters the fly’s appearance, praising her beautiful wings and eyes and suggesting she come to his parlour to see herself in a mirror. The fly, slightly charmed but still cautious, declines and leaves, but the spider, sure of her return, weaves a subtle, nearly invisible web to trap her.
Soon, the fly, flattered by the spider’s compliments, begins to believe his words about her beauty and returns. Distracted by her own reflection, she flies close enough for the spider to grab her, taking her up the stairs to his den from which she never emerges. The poem ends with a moral lesson, urging readers to beware of flattery and false friends who may lead them into harm, just as the spider did to the fly.
The Spider and the Fly Questions Answers from Text
“The Spider and the Fly Questions Answers from Text” offers detailed answers to understand the poem’s themes, characters, and moral lesson. Ideal for Class 7.
I Understanding the Poem
A. In the web chart given below, mention the various luxury things that according to the spider furnish his parlour
Ans: The various luxury things that according to the spider furnish his parlour:
- A winding stair
- Many pretty things
- A soft bed with fine sheets
- Curtains around the bed
- A looking glass (mirror)
B. The spider tries to lure the fly by praising her beautiful appearance. In the web chart given below, mention the various phrases that he uses.
Ans: The spider praises the fly with:
- “You’re witty and you’re wise”
- “How handsome are your gauzy wings”
- “How brilliant are your eyes”
- “Your robes are green and purple”
- “There’s a crest upon your head”
- “Your eyes are like the diamond bright”
C. In the poem, the spider tries to tempt the fly by offering her various comforts. Complete the table given below by alling in the fly’s response to his various offers.
Ans:
| Temptation | Fly’s response |
| 1. The fly can see many pretty things in his parkour | “O no, no… to ask me in is vain.” |
| 2. The tired fly should rest in his parkour | “O no, no… they never wake again, who sleep.” |
| 3. The fly should eat a little delicious food. | “O no, no… I do not wish to see.” |
| 4. The fly should look at her beauty in the looking glass in the parlour | “I thank you, gentle sir… I’ll call another day.” |
D. From the poem find two examples of each of similes and metaphor.
Similes:
- “Your eyes are like the diamond bright” – The spider compares the fly’s eyes to diamonds, emphasizing their brilliance.
- “Your robes are green and purple; there’s a crest upon your head” – Though this line lacks “like” or “as,” it uses vivid comparison to liken the fly’s appearance to royalty.
Metaphors:
- “He wove a subtle web, in a little corner sly” – The web symbolizes the trap or deceit the spider uses.
- “Your robes are green and purple” – Refers to the fly’s appearance, using “robes” to describe her wings or body as clothing.
E. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
(a) ‘Dear friend what shall I do,
To prove the warm affection I’ve always felt for you?
I have within my pantry, a good store of all that’s nice:
I’m sure you’re very welcome, will you please to take a slice?”
(i) Why is the speaker called ‘cunning’?
Ans: The spider is called cunning because he uses deceptive words to lure the fly with false affection.
(ii) How does ‘he’ in these lines, try to lure the fly?
Ans: He offers her delicious food from his pantry to tempt her.
(iii) How does the fly react to the offer made by him?
Ans: The fly refuses, saying she has heard about the dangers of his pantry and doesn’t want to see it.
(b) ‘Sweet creature!’ said the spider, you’re witty and you’re wise,
How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes!
I have a little looking-glass upon my parlour shelf.
If you’ll step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself.”
(i) Who is this ‘sweet creature’?
Ans: The ‘sweet creature’ is the fly.
(ii) Why is the speaker praising her so much?
Ans: The spider praises her to make her feel special, flattering her to weaken her caution.
(iii) Do you think this creature is really wise? Why or why not?
Ans: No, the fly is not truly wise, as she eventually falls for the spider’s flattery and enters his trap.
(c) The spider turned him round about, and went into his den.
For well he knew the silly fly would soon be back again:
So he wove a subtle web, in a little corner sly,
And set his table ready to dine upon the fly.
(i) Why did the speaker turn back into his den?
Ans: The spider returned to his den to prepare a trap, knowing the fly would return.
(ii) How did he know that the fly would soon be back?
Ans: He sensed that his flattery had affected her, making her likely to come back.
(iii) Is he able to dine upon the fly? How?
Ans: Yes, he dines upon her by trapping her in his web when she returns, ensnared by his flattery.
The Spider and the Fly Questions Answers: II HOTS
A. What is a Fable? Why is the poem called a fable?
Ans: A fable is a short story in which animals act like humans and teach a moral lesson. This poem is a fable because it uses the spider and the fly to convey a message. The spider represents cunning and deception, while the fly shows innocence. Through their interactions, readers learn about the danger of trusting flattery. The story warns against those who use sweet words to hide harmful intentions.
B. Of the various offers made by the spider, which one does the fly find most difficult to resist?
Ans: The fly finds the spider’s compliments about her beauty hardest to resist. He praises her “gauzy wings” and “diamond-bright eyes,” appealing to her vanity. These words make her feel special and important, distracting her from the danger. She becomes curious and begins to ignore her instincts. Though she initially refuses his other offers, this flattery weakens her caution. Ultimately, these compliments lead her close enough for the spider to capture her.
The Spider and the Fly Questions Answers: III Life Skills:
It is easy to flatter; it is hard to praise. How will you differentiate between your true friend and a flatterer?
Ans: A true friend’s praise is genuine and specific. They point out your real qualities and support you through difficult times. They don’t just compliment you to make you feel good but offer constructive advice. A flatterer often exaggerates, saying only what they think you want to hear. They disappear when you need help. True friends are honest, even if it’s hard to hear, while flatterers focus on shallow praise for their gain.
The Spider and the Fly Questions Answers: IV Values:
True friends are hard to find. True friends are the greatest asset. Narrate an incident when some friend helped you in your time of need and you realised that ‘a friend in need is a friend indeed”.
Ans: One time, I struggled to complete a school project on time. I felt overwhelmed and couldn’t manage it alone. My friend noticed my stress and offered to help without hesitation. We worked together, and she stayed late, ensuring I finished on time. Her support eased my burden, and I realized that true friends stand by us in tough situations. This experience showed me the value of a loyal, caring friend.
The Spider and the Fly Questions Answers: V Writing Skills:
The spider wants to invite the fly to his home. He drops an invitation card at her home. Make an Invitation Card for the spider inviting the fly to a dinner.
Ans:
From: The Spider
To: The Lovely Fly
Dear Fly,
You are warmly invited to a delightful evening in my cozy parlour!
Join me for a sumptuous dinner, featuring the finest treats from my pantry, specially prepared for a charming guest like you.
Date: Friday, 8:00 p.m.
Place: My Little Parlour (Up the winding stair)
Dress in your finest green and purple robes, and let your beauty shine. It will be an evening of delicious food, comfort, and delightful conversation. I eagerly await your presence and am honored to host such an enchanting guest. Do come, dear friend!
Sincerely,
The Spider
Previous Years The Spider and the Fly Questions Answers DAV
1. ‘Sweet creature!’—– ‘you’re witty and you’re wise,’ – Who is the speaker and what is the real intention of the speaker behind all these words?
Ans: The speaker is the spider. His real intention is to flatter and deceive the fly. By praising her, he aims to weaken her defenses. He wants to gain her trust, so she enters his web. The spider is cunning and manipulative, using compliments to trick the fly into believing he admires her. In reality, his purpose is to capture and eat her.
2. When the spider extends his invitation to the fly, he calls his home a ‘parlour’ but in the end of the poem, it is called a ‘den’. Explain.
Ans: The spider calls his home a “parlour” to make it sound inviting and safe. A parlour implies a pleasant, welcoming room. But in reality, it is a “den” where he hides to capture prey. By the end, the truth is clear—it is a dangerous, dark place where the spider waits to devour his victims. The word “den” reveals the spider’s true, sinister intentions.
3. “What shall I do, to prove the warm affection I’ve always felt for you”-Write how affectionate was the spider towards the fly?
Ans: The spider’s “affection” is false and manipulative. He pretends to care to gain the fly’s trust. His words are filled with deceit. He shows no true affection; instead, he only wants to capture and eat her. His flattery is a cunning trap to make the fly feel special and safe.
4. Mention two characteristics of the spider as portrayed in the poem “The Spider and the Fly”.
Ans: The spider is cunning and manipulative. He uses clever words to deceive the fly. His manipulation shows in how he offers fake affection and compliments. He is also patient, weaving his web and waiting for the right moment. This patience reveals his predatory nature, planning each step carefully to trap his prey.
5. Write the message that you get from the poem “The Spider and the Fly‟.
Ans: The poem teaches us not to trust flattery or false praise. It warns about the dangers of listening to those who flatter for personal gain. We should stay cautious and not be easily influenced by sweet words. False friends or manipulators often use kind words to hide harmful intentions. The poem encourages careful judgment to avoid falling into traps set by deceitful people.
6. Of the various offers made by the spider, which one does the fly find most difficult to resist and why?
Ans: The fly finds the spider’s compliments about her beauty most difficult to resist. She enjoys hearing about her “gauzy wings” and “diamond-bright eyes.” The spider’s flattering words about her appearance make her curious and weaken her caution. The praise appeals to her vanity, and she forgets her earlier suspicions. This distraction allows the spider to draw her close enough to capture.
7. Why does fly refuse to visit the spider‟s parlour?
Ans: The fly refuses because she senses danger. She has heard stories that whoever enters the spider’s web never returns. She understands that the spider’s invitation might be a trap. Her instinct and caution help her resist his sweet words. The fly values her safety and avoids situations that feel risky or suspicious.
8. Do you think the spider was cunning? Give reason.
Ans: Yes, the spider was cunning. He used clever words and flattery to manipulate the fly. Instead of force, he chose deception to trap her. His approach was patient and calculated, building trust over time. He planned every step, choosing specific compliments and offers to appeal to her. His cunning is shown in how he hid his real intentions behind kind words.
9. Do you think the fly was wise? Give reason.
Ans: The fly was cautious initially but not ultimately wise. She first avoided the spider’s trap by refusing his offers. However, she became foolish when she believed his flattering words. She let vanity cloud her judgment and ignored the danger. Her moment of weakness led her to make a fatal mistake. A truly wise fly would have stayed alert and avoided the trap completely.
10. What is Fable? Why has the poem, “The Spider and the Fly‟ been called a Fable?
Ans: A fable is a story with animals that teaches a moral lesson. The Spider and the Fly is called a fable because it uses the characters of a spider and a fly to give a warning. Through the spider’s cunning and the fly’s naivety, the poem teaches readers to avoid flattery. It presents a universal lesson in a simple, engaging form.
11. Consider “The Spider and the Fly” as a Fable.
Ans: ‘The Spider and the Fly‘ fits the characteristics of a fable. It uses animals with human traits to teach a moral lesson. The spider’s deceptive behavior shows the dangers of trusting flattering words. The fly’s weakness reminds us of the risks of vanity and carelessness. By personifying the animals, the poem makes the lesson more memorable and impactful for readers.
12. What is the moral message found in the poem, “The Spider and the Fly‟?
Ans: The moral message of The Spider and the Fly warns readers about the dangers of flattery and trusting deceptive words. The poem shows how manipulative people use sweet words to disguise harmful intentions. It teaches us to be cautious of those who flatter us excessively, reminding us to rely on wisdom and caution to avoid falling into traps.
13. Imagine that you have two friends. One keeps on praising you endlessly, tells you how intelligent, beautiful, and clever you are. The other often points out your mistakes and asks you to improve. Which of the two friends would you like/trust more and why?
Ans: I would trust the friend who points out my mistakes and encourages me to improve. True friends help us grow by being honest, even if it’s uncomfortable. They want the best for us and don’t just say what we want to hear. Flattery, like endless praise, can feel nice, but it doesn’t help us understand our real strengths and weaknesses. The friend who gives honest feedback shows genuine care. Their advice, though sometimes critical, helps us become better and more self-aware.
14. Name a few things by which the spider tried to lure the fly.
Ans: The spider tried to lure the fly with various temptations. First, he invited her to his parlour, describing it as a beautiful and cozy place. He offered her a comfortable bed with fine sheets and curtains to rest. Then, he tempted her with delicious food from his pantry. He also flattered her by praising her beauty, calling her wings “gauzy” and her eyes “brilliant.” Finally, he invited her to look at her reflection in a mirror, making her believe she was as special as he claimed.
15. From the various sugar-coated expressions made by the cunning spider, which one does the silly fly find most adorable for her? Elaborate.
Ans: The silly fly finds the spider’s flattery about her beauty most adorable. When the spider calls her “witty and wise” and praises her “gauzy wings” and “brilliant eyes,” the fly feels charmed by his words. His offer to let her see herself in a mirror made her feel admired and special. This sugar-coated flattery about her appearance appeals to her vanity. This causes her to ignore her caution. Ultimately, the spider’s praises draw to him and the fly falls into his trap.
The Spider and the Fly Questions Answers: Extract-Based
1. Read the extract given and choose the correct options: –
“There are pretty curtains drawn around, the sheets are fine and thin. And if you
like to rest a while, I’ll snugly tuck you in.”
a. The poet of the above extract is—
i) Mary Howitt
ii) A. Willingham
iii) William Shakespeare
iv) Sigrun Srivastava
Answer: i) Mary Howitt
b. In the above extract, ‘you’ refers to—
i) The spider
ii) The fly
iii) The narrator
iv) The readers
Answer: ii) The fly
c. Which words do you find appropriate enough to define the speaker?
i) cunning and manipulative
ii) sweet and cute
iii) kind hearted
iii) stubborn and insensitive
Answer: i) cunning and manipulative
d. The poet conveys the following message to his/her readers:
i) One should not easily yield to flattering words.
ii) One should be helpful.
iii) It is okay to nurture cunning thoughts in order to be successful in life.
iv) It is necessary to master the art of flattery and making others fall into a trap.
Answer: i) One should not easily yield to flattering words.
2. Read the extract given and choose the correct options:
“Sweet creature! ‘ said the spider, ‘you’re witty and you’re wise
How handsome are your gauzy wings , how brilliant are your eyes!
I have a little looking glass upon my parlour shelf,
If you’ll step in one moment , dear, you shall behold yourself. ‘
a. Name the poem and the poet.
Answer: The poem is The Spider and the Fly by Mary Howitt.
b. Who is this “sweet creature”?
Answer: The “sweet creature” is the fly.
c. Why is the speaker praising her so much?
Answer: The speaker, the spider, is praising her to flatter and deceive her so she will enter his parlour.
d. Do you think this creature is really ‘wise’? Why or Why not?
Answer: No, the fly is not really wise because she eventually falls for the spider’s flattery and enters his trap.
3. Read the extract given and choose the correct options:
The spider turned him round about, and went into his den,
For well he knew the silly fly would soon be back
So he wove a subtle web, in little corner sly,
And set his table ready to dine upon the fly.
a. Name the poem and the poet.
Answer: The poem is The Spider and the Fly by Mary Howitt.
b. Why did the speaker turn back into his den?
Answer: The spider returned to his den to prepare his web, anticipating that the fly would return.
c. How did he know that the fly would soon be back?
Answer: He knew the fly would return because he sensed she was affected by his flattery.
d. Is he able to dine upon the fly? How?
Answer: Yes, he dines upon the fly by trapping her in his web when she finally enters his den, lured by his praise.
