CBSE Class 10 English Poem 4 How to Tell Wild Animals Question Answers (Important) from First Flight Book
Class 10 English How to tell Wild Animals Question Answers – Looking for How to tell Wild Animals question answers (NCERT solutions) for CBSE Class 10 English First Flight Book Poem 4? Look no further! Our comprehensive compilation of important questions will help you brush up on your subject knowledge. Practising Class 10 English question answers can significantly improve your performance in the board exam. Our solutions provide a clear idea of how to write the answers effectively. Improve your chances of scoring high marks by exploring Poem 4: How to tell Wild Animals question answers now. The questions listed below are based on the latest CBSE exam pattern, wherein we have given NCERT solutions to the chapter’s extract based questions, multiple choice questions, short answer questions, and long answer questions.
Also, practising with different kinds of questions can help students learn new ways to solve problems that they may not have seen before. This can ultimately lead to a deeper understanding of the subject matter and better performance on exams.
Related:
How to tell Wild Animals Summary, Explanation
How to Tell Wild Animals MCQs
How to Tell Wild Animals NCERT Solutions
Q1-Does ‘dyin’ really rhyme with ‘lion’? Can you say it in such a way that it does?
Ans-The actual word is dying which does not rhyme with lion. In order to create rhyme, it is written as ‘dyin’ in the poem.
Q2- How does the poet suggest that you identify the lion and the tiger? When can you do so, according to him?
Ans--The poet differentiates between the two in the following manner-
He says that if the beast is of yellow- brown colour that is tawny colour and it roars out so fiercely that you may die out of fear, then this is an Asian lion.
Whereas, if the animal has black stripes on yellow background of hthe skin and he attacks to kill you, then it is a Bengal tiger.
Q3- Do you think the words ‘lept’ and ‘lep’ in the third stanza are spelt correctly? Why does the poet spell them like this?
Ans-– The words ‘lept’ and ‘lep’ have not been spelled correctly. It is a poetic device known as poetic license which is used by the poet to lay emphasis on the actions of the leopard.
Q4- Look at the line “A novice might nonplus”. How would you write this ‘correctly’? Why is the poet’s ‘incorrect’ line better in the poem?
Ans--The correct order of the sentence is ‘a novice might be nonplussed’. The poet wrote it in order to bring rhyme to her poem. nonplus rhymes with thus.
Q5- Much of the humour in the poem arises from the way language is used, although the ideas are funny as well. If there are particular lines in the poem that you especially like, share these with the class, speaking briefly about what it is about the ideas or the language that you like or find funny?
Ans-– Yes, it is true that the poet has used the language in a way that it arises humour. The poet has used many lines that are funny. One such is ‘If he roars at you as you’re dyin’.You’ll know it is the Asian Lion…’ or the other one is ‘A noble wild beast greets you’. So his idea of explaining the characteristics of the wild animals is quite funny.
Class 10 English How to tell Wild Animals Extract-Based Questions
Extract-based questions are of the multiple-choice variety, and students must select the correct option for each question by carefully reading the passage.
A. “If ever you should go by chance To jungles in the east;
And if there should to you advance A large and tawny beast,
If he roars at you as you’re dyin’
You’ll know it is the Asian Lion ….”
Q1. State features of an Asian Lion.
Ans. An Asian Lion is large and brownish-yellow in colour.
Q2. What happens when the lion roars?
Ans. When the lion roars, it is very scary and it feels like we are going to die.
Q3. What do you mean by ‘tawny’?
Ans. ‘Tawny’ means brownish-yellow in colour.
Q4. What is the physical appearance of the lion in the stanza?
Ans. The lion in the stanza is large and tawny.
B. “Or if some time when roaming round, A noble wild beast greets you,
With black stripes on a yellow ground, Just notice if he eats you.
This simple rule may help you learn The Bengal Tiger to discern.”
Q1. How can you recognise a Tiger?
Ans. A tiger can be recognised with the black stripes on his yellow hide.
Q2. Why does the poet call him a noble animal? [CBSE 2015]
Ans. The poet calls him a noble animal as he is very impressive in size and does not roar loudly.
Q3. How is the Bengal Tiger different from the other animals?
Ans. Bengal Tiger is different from the other animals as he is quiet and roams silently.
Q4. What does the word ‘ground’ mean here?
Ans. It means the hide or the background that is the skin of the Tiger.
C. “If strolling forth, a beast you view,
Whose hide with spots in peppered,
As soon as he has lept on you,
You’ll know it is the Leopard.
Twill do no good to roar with pain,
He’ll only lep and lep again.”
Q1. While walking, how does a leopard’s hide appear to be?
Ans. A leopard’s hide appears to be peppered while walking.
Q2. When does one come to know that it is a leopard?
Ans. According to the poet, one comes to know that it is a leopard when it leaps or jumps on him.
Q3. Give a synonym of ‘strolling’.
Ans. Walking
Q4. Why does it won’t do any good to roar with pain?
Ans. A leopard’s grip is the toughest one, so one can’t do anything under the grip of that beast.
D. “If when you’re walking round your yard
You meet a creature there,
Who hugs you very, very hard,
Be sure it is a Bear,
If you have any doubts, I guess
He’ll give you just one more caress.”
Q1. Who is going to hug and why?
Ans. The bear is going to hug you hard to embrace you.
Q2.This hug is also called ________
Ans. A Bearhug
Q3. What is the antonym of ‘Disregard’ (Choose from the above given extract)?
Ans. The antonym of ‘disregard’ is ‘caress’.
Q4. Where can a bear be found?
Ans. A bear can be found in the yard where it may get nectar from the beehives.
E. “Though to distinguish beasts of prey
A novice might nonplus,
The crocodile you always may
Tell from the Hyena thus:
Hyenas come with merry smiles;
But if they weep they’re Crocodiles.”
Q1. Between which animals would it be difficult to differentiate? [ CBSE 2011]
Ans. It would be difficult to differentiate between a Crocodile and a Hyena.
Q2. How does a Hyena differ from a Crocodile?
Ans. A Hyena laughs as it swallows its victim, while a Crocodile weeps as it swallows its prey.
Q3. Quote a saying famous for Crocodiles.
Ans. “Crocodile tears” is a famous saying for Crocodiles.
Q4. Where does a novice may get confused?
Ans. A novice may get confused in differentiating between a hyena and a crocodile.
F. “The true Chameleon is small,
A lizard sort of things;
He hasn’t any ears at all,
And not a single wing.
If there is nothing on the tree,
‘Tis the Chameleon you see.”
Q1. What does a Chameleon look like? [CBSE 2012]
Ans. A Chameleon looks like a lizard.
Q2. Describe any two characteristics of a Chameleon.
Ans. A Chameleon does not have ears and wings.
Q3. Give an antonym of ‘small’.
Ans. Big
Q4. Where can a chameleon be found?
Ans. A chameleon can be found on the tree.
G. If ever you should go by chance
To jungles in the east;
And if there should to you advance
A large and tawny beast,
If he roars at you as you’re dyin’
You’ll know it is the Asian Lion…
Q1. What are the 2 qualities of Asian lion?
Ans. Large and tawny.
Q2. What is the rhyme scheme?
Ans. ababcc
H. Or if some time when roaming round,
A noble wild beast greets you,
With black stripes on a yellow ground,
Just notice if he eats you.
This simple rule may help you learn
The Bengal Tiger to discern.
Q1. which figure of speech has been used in Line 1?
Ans. Alliteration (roaming round)
Q2. What does ‘ground’ mean?
a. land
b. body
c. table
d. floor
Ans. b
Q3. which figure of speech has been used in Line 2?
Ans. Oxymoron (noble wild)
I. If strolling forth, a beast you view,
Whose hide with spots is peppered,
As soon as he has lept on you,
You’ll know it is the Leopard.
’Twill do no good to roar with pain,
He’ll only lep and lep again.
Q1. what is the meaning of ‘hide’ as used here?
a. skin
b. to conceal
c. both a and b
d. none of these
Ans. a
Q2. Why roaring with pain will not do any good?
Ans. It will not do any good because the leopard will attack you again and again
J. If when you’re walking round your yard
You meet a creature there,
Who hugs you very, very hard,
Be sure it is a Bear.
If you have any doubts, I guess
He’ll give you just one more caress.
Q1. Which figure of speech has been used in Line 3, why?
Ans. Repetition (to emphasize)
Q2. Find a synonym of “hug”
Ans. Caress
K. The true Chameleon is small,
A lizard sort of thing;
He hasn’t any ears at all,
And not a single wing.
If there is nothing on the tree,
’Tis the chameleon you see.
Q1. A chameleon does not have ____ and _____
Ans. Ears and wings
Q2. Why does the poet say that if there is nothing on the tree then it is the chameleon you see?
Ans. The chameleon changes its body colour according to the background where it sits. So, it is not visible. That’s why the poet says this.
Q3. Mention true or false
A chameleon is similar to a lizard
Ans. True
Q4. What is the unique characteristic of a chameleon?
Ans. The true characteristic of a chameleon is that it changes colour of its skin.
Class 10 English How to tell Wild Animals Question Answers (including questions from Previous Years Question Papers)
In this post we are also providing important short answer questions from the poem How to tell Wild Animals for CBSE Class 10 Boards in the coming session. These questions have been taken from previous years class 10 Board exams and the year is mentioned in the bracket along with the question.
Q1. What is the famous saying associated with crocodiles and what does it mean?
Answer- The famous saying associated with crocodiles is that of ‘shedding crocodile tears’. It actually means tears or expressions of sorrow that are insincere, and are said to be so named from a belief that crocodiles wept while devouring their prey.
Q2. What is the theme of the poem — ‘How to Tell Wild Animals’?
Answer- The theme of the poem is to create humour. The poet creates humour by suggesting dangerous ways of identifying wild animals. You can identify most of the beasts while they are attacking you. Instead of shouting for help or trying to protect yourself, you are busy identifying the attacker—the idea creates humour.
Q3. Why does the poet say that a bear’s ‘hug’ may confuse a novice?
Answer- It is the tendency of a bear to kill his victim by embracing him. He hugs the victim so tight that he usually dies. But a novice who does not know the ways of bears may misunderstand his hug. He may think that it is a loving embrace.
Q4. Can a novice distinguish among wild animals? How can hyenas be distinguished from crocodiles?
Answer- It is very difficult for a novice to distinguish among wild animals. He can be easily confused. But it is very easy to distinguish between crocodiles and hyenas. Hyenas come with merry smiles. Crocodiles can be recognised by the tears in their eyes.
Q5. How can you identify the Asian lion and the Bengal Tiger? [CBSE 2015]
Answer- The Asian Lion has a large body and a brownish-yellow coat. It roars loudly when it attacks its prey. On the other hand, the Bengal Tiger has black stripes on its yellow coat. It silently attacks its prey.
Q6. How can you distinguish between a tiger and a leopard? [CBSE 2011]
Answer- A tiger has black stripes on its yellow coat. A leopard on the other hand, does not have any stripes. It has spots peppered on its body. Moreover, a tiger kills only when it is hungry,
while a leopard can kill for the pleasure of killing by pouncing continuously on its prey.
Q7. Describe a few characteristics of a chameleon.
Answer- A chameleon is a garden lizard and is an expert at camouflage. It changes its colour as per its surroundings. This ability of camouflage helps it in saving it from the hunters. A chameleon does not have – any ears or wings.
Q8. Do you know what a ‘bearhug’ is? It’s a friendly and strong hug-such as bears are thought to give, as they attack you! Again, hyenas are thought to laugh and crocodiles to weep (‘crocodile tears’) as they swallow their victims. Are there similar expressions and popular ideas about wild animals in your own language (s)?
Answer- A ‘bearhug’ is when the bear hugs his prey tightly with both hands and presses him to death. There are many similar ideas and expressions in every language. For example,
- Crocodile tears means tears or expressions of sorrow that are insincere.
- “Hold your horses” means to slow down.
- Butterflies in one’s stomach refers to nervous feelings.
Q9. How does the poet describe the bear?
Answer- The poet suggests that the bear can enter a human colony also. That is why you can encounter a bear even in your yard. As soon as the bear comes near a human being, he embraces him. This embrace appears loving. But in fact, it can be fatal.
Q10. “All knowledge is useful. But not all knowledge is worth the cost.” Elaborate on the quote in the context of the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals”.
Answer- The above quote is very true in the case of the poem ‘How to Tell Wild Animals’. In the poem, the poet tells the reader how to identify different beasts of the forest. However, in most of the descriptions, the reader is asked to get eaten by the ferocious beasts in order to identify it. However, no person in the world would be ready to learn or get such knowledge of identifying the beasts at the cost of their lives. But it definitely creates humour that keeps us engrossed throughout the poem along with the knowledge it imparts.
Q11. “If he roars at you as you’re dyin’/ You’ll know it is the Asian Lion…” Comment on the irony of the quote from the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals”. (CBSE QB)
Answer-The irony in this line is that no person would want to identify the beast like this, costing one’s life. If we ever go to the jungle to see a lion from close quarters, we may be attacked by the wild animal. In that case, we may not be alive to know that it’s the Asian Lion
Q12. Hyperbole is a literary device used when the poet exaggerates an image to make it comical. State two instances from the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals” where the literary device is used. (CBSE QB)
Answer- “Just notice if he eats you” and “Who hugs you very, very hard” or ‘If there is nothing on the tree, this the chameleon you see’. A chameleon may be camouflaged but not invisible‘. In all these instances, the poet has used an extreme narrative of how a tiger and a bear would attack a person. A chameleon may be camouflaged but not invisible, so hyperbole is here also
Q13. “If there is nothing on the tree, / ’Tis the chameleon you see.” Briefly explain the paradox of the quote. (CBSE QB)
Answer- Paradox is a logically self-contradictory statement. Here, ‘nothing on the tree’ and ‘it’s the chameleon’ may seem contradictory to each other but it stands true for the case of a chameleon as it camouflages itself with its surroundings to become invisible but in reality, it is present there and so the next line contradicts the former one.
Q14. Which genre is most appropriate for the poem? Substantiate your choice with reference to the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals”. (CBSE QB)
Answer-The poem relates to the ‘Light Verse’ genre which is a poetry that is mostly for fun. The poem ‘How to tell Wild Animals’ is a humorous poem. The poet suggests some dangerous ways to identify wild animals that create humour.
Q15. “All knowledge is useful. But not all knowledge is worth the cost.” Elaborate on the quote in the context of the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals”. (CBSE QB)
Answer- The above quote is very true in the case of the poem ‘How to Tell Wild Animals’. In the poem, the poet tells the reader how to identify different beasts of the forest.
However, in most of the descriptions, the reader is asked to get eaten by the ferocious beasts in order to identify it. However, no person in the world would be ready to learn or get such knowledge of identifying the beasts at the cost of their lives. But it definitely creates humour that keeps us light throughout the poem along with the knowledge it imparts.
Q16. Would you agree that the poet has an in-depth knowledge of the wild? Support the statement in context of the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals”. (CBSE QB)
Answer- Yes, I tend to agree that the poetess has an in-depth knowledge of the wild. She has described the various wild animals. These animals are very dangerous and she has introduced them one by one and in great detail. She treats even ferocious animals and beasts with a coat of gentle but weird humour.
Class 10 How to tell Wild Animals Long Answer Questions Poem 4
Q1. Every animal is unique and has some special characteristics. What tricks does the poet adopt in distinguishing various wild animals?
Answer- Every animal is indeed unique. Every wild animal has its own special traits, colour, size and characteristics.
The Asian Lion is found in the jungles of the eastern region. It is a huge and mighty creature with a brownish hide. His roar is enough to terrorise a person to death. The Bengal Tiger is a ‘noble’ and impressive wild animal. He has a yellowish hide and black stripes all over it. The Leopard has dark spots all over his body. He is very agile. The moment he sees its prey, he pounces upon it without showing any mercy. The bear is known for his strong and tight hug.
It becomes rather difficult for a novice to distinguish among wild animals. However, hyenas and crocodiles can be easily recognised. Hyenas come smiling merrily while crocodiles appear to be weeping. The chameleon is a small creature like a lizard. He has no ears and doesn’t have even a single wing. One can find a chameleon sitting on a tree.
Q2. The poet has successfully used humour to be able to ‘tell’ or identify ‘wild animals’. How do you think we need lots of it in our daily life?
Answer- Humour is the fuel of life. Humour is infectious. Without it, it would become difficult to continue living. Today, the life of a common man is typically mired in stress, tension, problems and sadness. It is amazing how the smallest problems may take on epic proportions for a common person. In such a situation, it becomes necessary to have a little humour in life. It gives us the much-needed respite from our monotonous routine and helps us face life more positively. Thus, the poet’s successful use of humour helps liven our minds and brings a smile on our faces. Much of the humour in the poem arises from the way language is used.
Q3. Carolyn Wells takes liberties with language and employs humour to describe the wild animals. Give some examples of humorous descriptions in the poem.
Answer- The poem “How to Tell Wild Animals” is a humorous poem in which the poet tells how a person can recognise animals. The ‘humour’ used in the poem is suggestive and mild.
According to the poet, if an animal kills us while roaring, it is a Bengal Tiger. If an animal eating us has yellow skin and black spots on it, it is a Leopard. If an animal kills us by hugging tightly, it is a bear.
The poet further says that there is a difference between hyena and crocodile. While the former (hyena) has a smiling face, the crocodile has tears in its eyes. In the last stanza, she says that a chameleon is different from a lizard as the former has no wings or ears like the latter. Moreover if nothing is seen on a tree, there can be a chameleon as it can change its colours.
Q4. ‘Appearances are deceptive.’ Cite examples from the poem, ‘How to Tell Wild Animals’, to corroborate this statement.
Answer- Encountering the Asian Lion will be by hearing its roar while dying. Meeting an animal with black stripes on a yellow ground he should ensure that he is not eaten, as he has encountered a Bengal Tiger. When a beast with skin peppered with spots leaps on the person that would be an encounter with a leopard. Roaring in pain is futile, because the animal will ‘lep and lep’. Similarly, a hug in the dark, would be a bear. When confused between a crocodile and a hyena, the former would emit a merry smile, while the latter would weep tears. Chameleons appear not like lizard-like creatures with no ears, but as nothing on a tree.
Q5. Imagine the poet meets Mijbil, the otter. Write a detailed account of the characteristics the poet could use for her poem, if she were to write about telling an otter.
XYZ
USA
18 July XXXX
Dear Ms. Wells
I just read your poem “How to Tell Wild Animals” and enjoyed it thoroughly! ………………………. (continue)………………………….
Yours sincerely (QB)
Answer
XYZ
USA
18 July XXXX
Dear Ms. Wells
I just read your poem “How to Tell Wild Animals “and enjoyed it thoroughly! You have wonderfully described how to recognise the animals by their physical appearance and behavioural natural instincts. The poem is also rich in the use of poetic devices like irony and poetic licence. The poem has brief yet humorous descriptions and there is not even a single dull moment in it. But I would confess that I really didn’t like the mention of hyenas and crocodiles as it was quite rare and unfamiliar. The description of these animals gives a chill in one’s spinal code. But the description of the rest of the animals was quite hilarious.
I would love it if you compose one such poem on elephants or snakes. Preferably elephants as I’m sure children will definitely like it as elephants are seen unharmed despite their dangerous outlook. I request you describe its virtue, how it is helpful to us. No doubt that all will be presented in a funny way as the poem ‘How to tell wild animals’.
Yours sincerely
Also See:
Class 10 English Syllabus
Character Sketches of Class 10 English
CBSE Class 10 English Lesson Explanation, Summary
CBSE Class 10 English Question Answers (Important)
CBSE Class 10 English MCQs
Class 10 English Complete Study Guide
Class 10 English First Flight book Prose word meanings
Class 10 English First Flight Poems word meaning
Class 10 English Footprints without Feet word meanings
List of Poetic Devices in Class 10 Poems (Poem-wise)
10 Important Poetic Devices for Class 10