CBSE Class 9 English Beehive: Chapter 7 Packing NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 9 PDF

This chapter, 'Packing', from CBSE Class 9 English Beehive, narrates a humorous incident where three friends, Jerome, George, and Harris, along with a dog named Montmorency, attempt to pack for a journey. The story unfolds with Jerome volunteering to pack, intending to supervise, but his friends take over, leading to a chaotic and comical experience. The narrative highlights their individual packing styles, their forgetfulness (especially concerning the narrator's toothbrush), and the general disarray they create. The NCERT Solutions for this chapter offer a detailed exploration of the characters' personalities, their interactions, and the situational comedy. They provide comprehensive answers to questions about the plot, the humorous elements, and the overall theme of the story, serving as a valuable tool for students to grasp the essence of the chapter and prepare effectively for their examinations.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 9
Subject	Beehive
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	7. Packing

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 7, 'Packing', focuses on the narrative of three friends and a dog preparing for a trip. The solutions cover the characters' interactions, the narrator's humorous self-perception of his packing skills, and the comical mishaps that occur during the packing process. They address questions about who volunteered for the task, their intentions, the funny mistakes made, and the final outcome of their disorganized efforts, aiding students in comprehending the story's lighthearted and relatable content.

Learning outcomes

Understand the narrative structure and character roles in 'Packing'.
Analyze the humor derived from the characters' packing mishaps.
Identify the narrator's intentions and the reactions of his friends.
Explain the significance of small details like forgetting the toothbrush.
Discuss the theme of friendship and shared experiences during travel preparation.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Narrative structure
Character analysis (Jerome, George, Harris, Montmorency)
Humor in literature
Travel and preparation
Friendship dynamics
Narrator's perspective
Comical mishaps
Reading comprehension

Important topics

Character roles and interactions
Analysis of humor and irony
Narrator's intentions and self-perception
Key events and their consequences
Understanding the narrative voice

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Questions and Solutions

Before You Read - Question 1

Do you like going on trips? What kind of trips do you enjoy most?

Solution: This question is personal and requires you to reflect on your own experiences and preferences. Think about your past trips, whether they were short day trips, longer vacations, adventurous journeys, or relaxing getaways. Consider what aspects of these trips you enjoyed the most, such as the destination, the activities, the company, or the overall feeling of exploration and relaxation. Share your thoughts honestly.

Before You Read - Question 2

How do you feel about having to pack for a trip?

Solution: Packing for a trip can evoke various feelings. Some people find it exciting as it signifies the start of an adventure, while others might find it a tedious chore. It can be stressful if one is unsure about what to take or if there's a lot to pack. Reflect on your personal feelings – do you enjoy the process, find it overwhelming, or feel indifferent?

Before You Read - Question 3

Have you ever discovered on a trip that you have forgotten to pack a few things you very much need, or that you can't find them easily?

Solution: This question asks about a common travel experience. Many people have forgotten essential items like a toothbrush, charger, or medication, or have misplaced things like keys or tickets during a trip. Think back to any such instances you might have experienced. Describe what you forgot or couldn't find and the inconvenience it caused.

Before You Read - Question 4

Does this make you angry or does it make you laugh at yourself?

Solution: When faced with the inconvenience of forgetting or misplacing items, people react differently. Some might get frustrated or angry, especially if the item is crucial. Others might find the situation amusing and laugh at their own forgetfulness or disorganization. Consider your typical reaction to such situations – do you tend to get annoyed, or do you find humor in your own mistakes?

Thinking About The Text - Question 1

Discuss in pairs and answer each question below in a short paragraph (30 – 40 words). How many characters are there in the narrative? Name them. (Don't forget the dog!).

Solution: There are four characters featured in this narrative. These include the narrator, Jerome, along with his two friends, George and Harris. Importantly, the story also features their dog, Montmorency, who plays a role in the chaotic packing process.

Thinking About The Text - Question 2

Why did the narrator (Jerome) volunteer to do the packing?

Solution: The narrator, Jerome, volunteered to pack because he had immense pride in his packing abilities. He felt that packing was one of the few things he understood better than anyone else, and he wanted to demonstrate his supposed expertise.

Thinking About The Text - Question 3

How did George and Harris react to this? Did Jerome like their reaction?

Solution: George and Harris readily accepted Jerome's offer to pack. George settled into an armchair with his pipe, while Harris put his feet up on the table and lit a cigar. Jerome did not appreciate their relaxed attitude; he found it irritating.

Thinking About The Text - Question 4

What was Jerome's real intention when he offered to pack?

Solution: Jerome's true intention was to take charge and boss the packing job. He wanted George and Harris to work under his direction, and he planned to occasionally push them aside to show them how packing should be done properly.

Thinking About The Text - Question 5

What did Harris say after the bag was shut and strapped? Why do you think he waited till then to ask?

Solution: After the bag was shut and strapped, Harris asked Jerome if he was going to put the boots in. Harris likely waited until the bag was fully packed and secured to ask this question because he knew Jerome would be annoyed, and he enjoyed teasing him.

Thinking About The Text - Question 6

What "horrible idea" occurred to Jerome a little later?

Solution: A little later, a "horrible idea" struck Jerome: he couldn't remember if he had packed his toothbrush or not. This was a recurring problem for him, as he often forgot whether he had packed this essential item.

Thinking About The Text - Question 7

Where did Jerome finally find the toothbrush?

Solution: After a thorough search and unpacking of the bag, Jerome finally located his toothbrush. He found it unexpectedly tucked away inside one of his boots.

Thinking About The Text - Question 8

Why did Jerome have to reopen the packed bag?

Solution: Jerome had to reopen the packed bag on multiple occasions due to his forgetfulness. He first had to unpack to put the boots in, and later, he unpacked again when he realized he had mistakenly packed his tobacco pouch inside.

Thinking About The Text - Question 9

What did George and Harris offer to pack and why?

Solution: George and Harris offered to pack the hamper, which was intended for carrying food items. They suggested doing the rest of the packing because they knew they had to start their journey in less than twelve hours and wanted to expedite the process.

Thinking About The Text - Question 10

While packing the hamper, George and Harris do a number of foolish and funny things. Tick the statements that are true.

(i) They started with breaking a cup.

(ii) They also broke a plate.

(iii) They squashed a tomato.

(iv) They trod on the butter.

(v) They stepped on a banana.

(vi) They put things behind them, and couldn't find them.

(vii) They stepped on things.

(viii) They packed the pictures at the bottom and put heavy things on top.

(ix) They upset almost everything.

(x) They were very good at packing.

Solution: Based on the narrative, the true statements describing the foolish and funny things George and Harris did while packing are:

They squashed a tomato.
They trod on the butter.
They put things behind them, and couldn't find them.
They stepped on things.
They upset almost everything.

Statements (i), (ii), (v), (viii), and (x) are not supported by the text as actions performed by George and Harris during the packing of the hamper.

Common mistakes

Misinterpreting the narrator's intentions behind volunteering to pack.
Overlooking the subtle humor in the characters' actions.
Confusing the sequence of events during the packing process.
Forgetting to include the dog, Montmorency, as a character.

Revision tips

Read the chapter carefully to grasp the sequence of events.
Focus on the humorous incidents and the characters' reactions.
Pay attention to the narrator's internal thoughts and motivations.
Discuss the questions and answers with a study partner to reinforce understanding.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Who is the narrator of the story 'Packing'?

Q2. Why did Jerome volunteer to pack?

Q3. What was the 'horrible idea' that occurred to Jerome later?

Q4. How did George and Harris react when Jerome offered to pack?

Q5. Where did Jerome eventually find his toothbrush?

Frequently asked questions

What is Chapter 7 of CBSE Class 9 English Beehive about?

Chapter 7, 'Packing', is a humorous narrative about three friends and a dog attempting to pack for a trip, detailing their comical mistakes and interactions.

Who are the main characters in the 'Packing' story?

The main characters are the narrator Jerome, his friends George and Harris, and their dog Montmorency.

What is the primary source of humor in the chapter?

The humor arises from the characters' incompetence and disorganization while packing, leading to a series of funny mishaps and arguments.

How do these NCERT Solutions help students?

These solutions provide clear, rewritten answers to all chapter questions, helping students understand the text, analyze characters, and prepare effectively for their exams.

What does the narrator Jerome feel about his packing skills?

Jerome believes he is an exceptionally skilled packer and offers to do the job, intending to supervise his friends, though his own forgetfulness causes problems.

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