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Try Again

NCERT Class 7 · English Based on NCERT Class 7 English textbook · Free CBSE study kit

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Chapter Notes

Overview
This chapter is a narrative poem by Eliza Cook that tells the story of King Bruce of Scotland, who, feeling defeated after failing to achieve a great deed for his people, is inspired by the perseverance of a spider. The spider tries nine times to reach its cobweb and finally succeeds on the tenth attempt, teaching the king—and the reader—the value of persistence. The one big idea a student must walk away with is that failure is not final; we must keep trying until we succeed, as every attempt brings us closer to our goal.
Key Concepts (13)
Perseverance
The quality of continuing to try to achieve a goal despite difficulties, failures, or discouragement.
e.g. Just like the spider that fell nine times but climbed again, a student who fails a maths test must keep practising and trying until they understand the concept.
Despair
A state of complete loss of hope or confidence.
e.g. When King Bruce said, 'I'll give it all up,' he was in low despair because he thought he would never succeed.
Narrative style
A style of writing that tells a story, with characters, a setting, a plot, and a sequence of events.
e.g. The poem uses narrative style because it tells the story of King Bruce and the spider, with a beginning, middle, and end.
Metaphor
A figure of speech that makes an implied comparison between two unlike things without using 'like', 'as', or 'as...as', suggesting that one thing is another.
e.g. In the poem, the spider's climbing is a metaphor for King Bruce's own struggles—both face repeated failures but must keep trying.
Simile
A figure of speech that compares two unlike things using the words 'like', 'as', or 'as...as'.
e.g. In the exercise, 'He ran as fast as a cheetah' is a simile because it uses 'as...as' to compare running speed to a cheetah.
Alliteration
The repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of closely connected words.
e.g. In the poem, 'silken, filmy clue' has alliteration with the 's' and 'f' sounds, and 'steadily, steadily' repeats the 's' sound.
Rhyme scheme
The pattern of rhymes at the end of each line in a poem, usually shown using letters like ABAB or AABB.
e.g. The rhyme scheme of this poem is ABAB, as seen in lines like 'down' (A), 'think' (B), 'crown' (A), 'sink' (B).
Interjection
A word or phrase that expresses strong emotion and is not grammatically connected to the rest of the sentence.
e.g. 'Bravo!' and 'Ah me!' are interjections in the poem that show excitement and anxiety.
Contraction
A shortened form of a word or group of words, often using an apostrophe to show missing letters.
e.g. The poet uses ''twas' for 'it was' and ''tis' for 'it is' to maintain the rhythm of the poem.
Toil
To work very hard and/or for a long time, often with physical effort.
e.g. The spider toiled to climb the long way up to the ceiling dome, and King Bruce toiled to achieve his great deed.
Strive
To try very hard to achieve something.
e.g. The poem says, 'All honour to those who try,' meaning we should strive to reach our goals even when it is difficult.
Endeavour
An attempt to do something new or difficult.
e.g. The spider's climb was a brave endeavour, and King Bruce's plan to free his people was a great endeavour.
Brace
To prepare oneself for something difficult.
e.g. The sailors braced themselves against the strong wind, and King Bruce braced his mind to try once more.
How It Works
How the spider's perseverance inspires King Bruce
  1. King Bruce feels sad and in low despair after failing to achieve a great deed for his people.
  2. He decides to give up and says, 'I'll give it all up.'
  3. At that moment, a spider drops down from the ceiling on a silken thread.
  4. The spider tries to climb back to its cobweb but falls repeatedly.
  5. The king counts nine brave attempts, each time the spider falls and then climbs again.
  6. The king thinks the spider will give up, but it tries once more.
  7. The spider climbs steadily, inch by inch, and finally reaches its cobweb home.
  8. The king cries 'Bravo!' and realizes that if the spider can conquer despair, he can too.
  9. King Bruce braces his mind, tries once more, and this time succeeds.
💡 Students often forget that the spider made nine attempts before the tenth success—the number 9 is important. Also, the king's change of heart happens exactly when the spider succeeds, not before.
How to identify a metaphor vs. a simile
  1. Read the sentence and look for comparison words: 'like', 'as', or 'as...as'.
  2. If the sentence uses 'like', 'as', or 'as...as', it is a simile (S).
  3. If the sentence compares two things without those words, saying one thing IS another, it is a metaphor (M).
  4. Example: 'The world is a stage' is a metaphor (no 'like' or 'as').
  5. Example: 'He ran as fast as a cheetah' is a simile (uses 'as...as').
💡 Students often confuse metaphors with similes. Remember: similes use 'like' or 'as'; metaphors say one thing IS another. For example, 'Her voice was music to his ears' is a metaphor, not a simile.
How to transform a simile into a metaphor and vice versa
  1. To change a simile to a metaphor: remove 'like' or 'as...as' and restate the comparison as an identity (e.g., 'Knowledge spreads like branches' becomes 'Knowledge is a spreading branch').
  2. To change a metaphor to a simile: add 'like' or 'as...as' and adjust the sentence structure (e.g., 'His courage was a beacon' becomes 'His courage was like a beacon' or 'His courage was as bright as a beacon').
💡 When transforming, ensure the meaning stays the same. Do not change the core comparison—only the structure.
How to determine the rhyme scheme of a poem
  1. Look at the last word of each line of the poem.
  2. Assign the letter 'A' to the last word of the first line.
  3. Assign the same letter 'A' to any line that ends with the same sound.
  4. Assign the next new letter 'B' to the first line that has a different ending sound.
  5. Continue this pattern for all lines.
  6. For this poem, the pattern is ABAB (e.g., 'down' (A), 'think' (B), 'crown' (A), 'sink' (B)).
💡 Students often confuse rhyme scheme with the pattern of sounds in the middle of lines. Only the last word of each line matters for rhyme scheme.
Exam Traps — Don't Make These Mistakes
⚠ Confusing 'despair' with 'sadness'
✗ King Bruce was sad because he failed.
→ Sadness is a general feeling of unhappiness, but 'despair' is a much stronger emotion—complete loss of hope. The poem says 'low despair' and 'I'll give it all up,' which shows he had given up hope entirely.
✓ King Bruce was in low despair, meaning he had lost all hope and was ready to give up on his goal.
⚠ Calling the spider an 'insect' in a general sense
✗ The spider is an insect that kept trying.
→ The poem calls the spider an 'insect' poetically, but scientifically, spiders are not insects. They belong to a group called arachnids. The 'Let us explore' section explicitly says, 'Did you know that spiders are not insects? They belong to a group called the arachnids.'
✓ In the poem, the spider is referred to as an 'insect' for poetic effect, but scientifically, spiders are arachnids, not insects.
⚠ Mistaking the number of attempts the spider made
✗ The spider tried eight times before succeeding.
→ The poem clearly states, 'Nine brave attempts were counted.' The spider fell nine times and succeeded on the tenth attempt. Students often miscount because they forget to include the final successful attempt.
✓ The spider made nine brave attempts and fell each time, but on the tenth attempt, it succeeded in reaching its cobweb.
⚠ Confusing metaphor with simile in the exercise
✗ 'The world is a stage' is a simile because it compares the world to a stage.
→ A simile requires the words 'like', 'as', or 'as...as'. 'The world is a stage' does not use any of these words; it directly says one thing IS another. That makes it a metaphor, not a simile.
✓ 'The world is a stage' is a metaphor because it makes a direct comparison without using 'like' or 'as'.
⚠ Thinking 'Bravo' is an adjective
✗ 'Bravo' is an adjective because it describes the king's feeling.
→ 'Bravo' is an interjection—a word that expresses strong emotion (here, excitement and approval). It is not describing a noun; it stands alone as an exclamation.
✓ 'Bravo' is an interjection because it expresses the king's excitement and approval when the spider succeeds.
Compare & Contrast
Use of comparison words
Metaphor
Simile
A metaphor compares two unlike things without using 'like', 'as', or 'as...as' (e.g., 'The world is a stage'), while a simile uses 'like', 'as', or 'as...as' (e.g., 'He ran as fast as a cheetah').
Attitude towards failure
King Bruce at the beginning of the poem
King Bruce at the end of the poem
At the beginning, King Bruce is in low despair and wants to give up ('I'll give it all up'), but at the end, he is inspired by the spider and decides to try once more, ultimately succeeding.
Exam Focus
Marks pattern: 2 MCQs (1 mark each), 1 Very Short Answer (1 mark), 1 Short Answer (3 marks), 1 Long Answer (5 marks) — total 10 marks
Most asked: The central idea of the poem: perseverance and not giving up · Metaphor and simile identification and transformation · Rhyme scheme of the poem (ABAB) · Character change in King Bruce from despair to determination · The spider as a source of inspiration
Don't skip: Long answer question on how the spider inspires King Bruce and what lesson we learn (5 marks); Transformation of similes to metaphors and vice versa (often 3 marks); Extract-based questions on the king's emotional state or the spider's efforts (3 marks)
One-Line Revision (read aloud before the exam)
  1. The poem 'Try Again' is written by Eliza Cook in a narrative style.
  2. King Bruce of Scotland felt sad and in low despair because he failed to achieve a great deed for his people.
  3. The spider made nine brave attempts before succeeding on the tenth try.
  4. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABAB.
  5. 'Bravo' is an interjection that expresses excitement and approval.
  6. The poet uses ''twas' and ''tis' for the sake of rhythm.
  7. A metaphor compares two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as'.
  8. A simile compares two unlike things using 'like', 'as', or 'as...as'.
  9. The spider's climbing is a metaphor for King Bruce's own struggles.
  10. Alliteration is the repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of closely connected words.
  11. The central idea of the poem is that we must keep trying until we succeed.
  12. Spiders are not insects; they belong to a group called arachnids.
  13. The word 'toil' means to work very hard for a long time.
  14. The word 'strive' means to try very hard to achieve something.
  15. The word 'endeavour' means an attempt to do something new or difficult.
  16. The word 'brace' means to prepare oneself for something difficult.
  17. The opposite of 'up' is 'down', of 'fast' is 'slow', of 'glad' is 'sad', of 'win' is 'lose', and of 'succeed' is 'fail'.
  18. The phrase 'silken filmy clue' creates an image of something very delicate and soft.

MCQs — 10 Questions with Answers

Q1. At the beginning of the poem, why was King Bruce feeling sad?

  • A. He had lost his crown
  • B. He had tried and tried to achieve something great but could not succeed ✓
  • C. The spider had distracted him
  • D. He had no one to talk to

Answer: B — The first stanza clearly states Bruce had been trying to do a great deed but couldn't succeed, which made him sad.

Q2. What does the word 'pondered' mean in the line 'And after a while he pondered there'?

  • A. Paused
  • B. Rested
  • C. Thought carefully ✓
  • D. Noticed

Answer: C — Pondered means to think deeply or carefully about something, which fits the context of Bruce reflecting on his situation.

Q3. How many times did the spider attempt to reach its web before finally succeeding?

  • A. Seven times
  • B. Eight times
  • C. Nine times ✓
  • D. Ten times

Answer: C — The poem explicitly states 'Nine brave attempts were counted' before the spider successfully reached its cobweb home.

Q4. Which literary device is used when comparing the spider's struggle to King Bruce's own struggles?

  • A. Simile
  • B. Metaphor ✓
  • C. Alliteration
  • D. Personification

Answer: B — A metaphor is used because the spider's climbing journey represents Bruce's struggle without using 'like' or 'as'.

Q5. What is the rhyme scheme of the poem 'Try Again'?

  • A. ABAB
  • B. AABB ✓
  • C. ABBA
  • D. AAAA

Answer: B — The poem follows an AABB pattern where consecutive lines rhyme with each other, like 'think/sink' and 'deed/succeed'.

Q6. Which of the following is an example of alliteration from the poem?

  • A. Spider dropped with silken clue
  • B. Slippery sprawl ✓
  • C. High above the ceiling
  • D. King Bruce of Scotland

Answer: B — Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds; 'slippery sprawl' repeats the 's' sound at the beginning of words.

Q7. Why does the poet repeat phrases like 'tried and tried' and 'steadily, steadily' in the poem?

  • A. To fill space in the poem
  • B. To emphasize persistence, effort and determination ✓
  • C. To make the poem longer
  • D. To confuse the reader

Answer: B — Repetition emphasizes the ongoing nature of effort and persistence, which is the core message of the poem.

Q8. Which of the following is NOT a correct description of the spider in the poem?

  • A. The spider showed determination despite repeated failures
  • B. The spider gave up after three failed attempts ✓
  • C. The spider eventually succeeded in reaching its cobweb home
  • D. The spider taught King Bruce the value of perseverance

Answer: B — The spider did NOT give up after three attempts; instead it made nine attempts before finally succeeding, showing persistence.

Q9. When King Bruce observes the spider climbing toward its web for the tenth time, he realizes something important. What is this realization?

  • A. Spiders are stronger than humans
  • B. The spider is foolish for trying so hard
  • C. Those who defy despair and keep trying can conquer their challenges, just as he can ✓
  • D. The spider's effort is not worth watching

Answer: C — Bruce's realization is captured in his words: 'The spider up there, defied despair; He conquered, and why shouldn't I?' — this shows he understands that persistence leads to success.

Q10. How does the first stanza help in setting the mood of the poem?

  • A. It introduces King Bruce as a happy and successful ruler
  • B. It establishes a melancholic and hopeless mood through Bruce's sadness and despair ✓
  • C. It describes the beauty of Scotland's landscape
  • D. It tells readers about the spider's abilities

Answer: B — The first stanza uses phrases like 'lonely mood', 'heart was beginning to sink', and 'couldn't succeed' to create a sad, hopeless atmosphere.

Flashcards

What was King Bruce's emotional state at the beginning of the poem?

King Bruce was feeling sad and in despair because he had failed multiple times to achieve a great deed for his people.

How many attempts did the spider make to reach its web?

The spider made nine brave attempts before finally succeeding in reaching its cobweb home.

What literary device is used when the spider's climbing is compared to King Bruce's struggles?

A metaphor is used because the spider's repeated attempts to reach its web represent King Bruce's own struggle to achieve his goals.

Define a metaphor and give one example from the poem.

A metaphor is a comparison between two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as'; for example, the spider's persistence is compared to Bruce's determination.

What is the rhyme scheme of 'Try Again'?

The rhyme scheme is AABB, where lines rhyme in pairs consecutively.

What does the word 'interjection' mean, and give an example from the poem?

An interjection is a word that expresses sudden emotion or exclamation; 'Bravo' in the poem is an example.

Why does the poet use contractions like ''twas' and ''tis' in the poem?

The poet uses contractions to maintain the rhythm and meter of the poem.

How does the spider's behavior inspire King Bruce to change his decision?

The spider's refusal to give up despite repeated failures teaches Bruce that perseverance and trying again can lead to success.

What is alliteration, and identify one example from 'Try Again'?

Alliteration is the repetition of the same consonant sounds at the beginning of closely connected words; 'slippery sprawl' is an example.

What is the central message of the poem 'Try Again'?

The poem teaches that determination and refusing to give up, even after multiple failures, will eventually lead to success.

Important Board Questions

What does the spider's journey represent in the poem 'Try Again'? Explain in one or two sentences. [2 marks]

The spider represents King Bruce's own struggles and failures; it serves as a metaphor showing that persistence and repeated attempts lead to success despite falling many times.

Explain how the poet uses repetition in the poem to emphasize the theme of perseverance. Give two examples. [3 marks]

Repetition like 'tried and tried', 'steadily, steadily', and 'up, up' emphasize continuous effort and determination; examples like 'it fell and swung below, but again it quickly mounted' show persistence after failure.

Analyze how King Bruce's character changes from the beginning to the end of the poem. How does the spider's behavior cause this transformation, and what does this teach us about facing difficulties in life? [5 marks]

Bruce begins in despair wanting to give up (lines 1-8); witnessing the spider's nine attempts and final success (metaphor of his own struggles) inspires him to try again; he ultimately succeeds. This teaches that observing persistence in others, accepting that failure is temporary, and continuing effort despite setbacks leads to eventual success—a lesson applicable to all life challenges.

Assertion-Reason Questions for Try Again

Q1. Assertion (A):

The spider in the poem serves as a direct representation of King Bruce's struggles and journey.

Reason (R):

The spider's repeated attempts to climb to its web are a metaphor for Bruce's repeated attempts to achieve his great deed.

Answer: A — Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A — Both the assertion and reason are true. The reason correctly explains why the spider represents Bruce's struggles—through the use of metaphor. The comparison between the spider's climbs and Bruce's attempts is the foundation of the poem's message.

Q2. Assertion (A):

The poem 'Try Again' is written in a narrative style.

Reason (R):

Narrative poems always use rhyming couplets and must be at least twenty stanzas long.

Answer: C — A is true but R is false — The assertion is true—the poem does tell a story with characters and events, which defines narrative style. However, the reason is false. Narrative poems don't require specific rhyme schemes or lengths; they simply need to tell a story, which this poem does.

Q3. Assertion (A):

The phrase 'low despair' uses alliteration to emphasize the King's emotional state.

Reason (R):

The repetition of the 'd' sound in 'despair' and other words creates a rhythm that mirrors sadness.

Answer: B — Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A — The assertion is true—'low' and 'despair' do create a poetic effect. However, this is not alliteration; alliteration requires repeated initial consonant sounds in nearby words. The reason incorrectly identifies the literary device. The effect comes from word choice and sound quality, not alliteration.

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Case-Based Questions (CBQ) for Try Again

Case Study:

Rajesh, a 7th-grade student, has been struggling with mathematics. He failed his first unit test despite studying hard. Feeling discouraged, he told his teacher, 'I'm just not good at math. I'll never be able to pass.' His teacher then shared the poem 'Try Again' with the class and asked students to think about what the spider learned. Rajesh reread the poem that evening and noticed how the spider fell nine times but never complained. He realized that like the spider, he too could try again with better strategies. The next week, Rajesh asked for extra help, practiced more problems, and scored well on his second unit test.

Q1. Which character from the poem does Rajesh most closely resemble at the beginning of the passage?

  • A. The spider, who keeps trying despite falling
  • B. King Bruce, who is discouraged and wants to give up ✓
  • C. The ceiling, which is high and unreachable
  • D. The teacher, who teaches important lessons

Answer: B

Q2. What literary device from the poem helped Rajesh change his mindset?

  • A. The rhyme scheme that made the poem easy to remember
  • B. The metaphor of the spider's climb representing human struggles ✓
  • C. The interjection 'Bravo' that showed excitement
  • D. The alliteration of 'tried and tried'

Answer: B

Q3. How did Rajesh apply the poem's message in his real life?

  • A. He complained about his difficulties like the spider
  • B. He refused to try again after his first failure
  • C. He tried again with better strategies, just as the spider tried again after falling ✓
  • D. He gave up on mathematics completely

Answer: C

Q4. Which of the following best summarizes the connection between Rajesh's story and the poem?

  • A. Both show that trying again with persistence can lead to success ✓
  • B. Both show that initial failure means permanent failure
  • C. Both prove that poetry can solve all problems
  • D. Both explain why mathematics is difficult

Answer: A

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