NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Chapter 7 - How To Tell Wild Animals Poem

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Chapter 7 - How To Tell Wild Animals Poem

Question 1:

Is there a rhyme between 'dying' and 'lion'? Can you find a way to make them rhyme?

Answer:

No, 'dying' does not rhyme with 'lion' in standard pronunciation. However, in the poem, the poet uses the word 'dyin' to create a rhyme with 'lion' when pronounced in a certain way.

Question 2:

How does the poet suggest identifying the lion and the tiger? When does the poet say we can do so?

Answer:

The poet suggests that if a large, tawny beast approaches us in the jungle in the east, it is an Asian lion. We can identify it when it roars at us while we are filled with fear. When we encounter a wild beast with yellow fur and black stripes while wandering, it is a Bengal tiger. We can identify it when it devours us.

Question 3:

Do you think the words 'lept' and 'lep' in the third stanza are spelled correctly? Why does the poet spell them this way?

Answer:

No, the words 'lept' and 'lep' are spelled incorrectly. The correct spellings are 'leapt' and 'leap' respectively. The poet spells them this way to maintain the rhythm of the poem. By spelling them differently, they rhyme with the first part of 'leopard,' adding emphasis to 'leopard' in each line.

Question 4:

Do you know what a 'bearhug' is? It's a friendly and strong embrace—similar to how bears are thought to hug while attacking you! Similarly, hyenas are associated with laughter, and crocodiles with insincere sadness ('crocodile tears') as they consume their victims. Are there similar expressions and popular ideas about wild animals in your language(s)?

Answer:

A 'bearhug' is a tight and affectionate embrace, often compared to the strength of a bear's hug. In my language, there are no specific expressions or popular ideas similar to those associated with wild animals in this poem.

Question 5:

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?

Answer:

The line "A novice might nonplus" could be written correctly as "A novice might be nonplussed." However, the poet's 'incorrect' line is better in the poem because it maintains the rhyme scheme. By using 'nonplus' instead of 'be nonplussed,' it rhymes with the word 'thus.'

Question 6:

Can you find other examples of poets taking liberties with language, either in English or your own language(s)? Can you find examples of humorous poems in your language(s)?

Answer:

Yes, poets often take liberties with language to achieve rhyming and other poetic effects. For example, in my language, we use variations such as substituting 'Kirk' for 'church' to rhyme with 'work' or 'Ken' for 'see' to rhyme with 'pen.' As for humorous poems, there are several well-known examples in my language(s), which play with wordplay, irony, and clever observations to evoke laughter.

Question 7:

Much of the humor in the poem arises from the creative use of language, although the ideas themselves are also amusing. Are there particular lines in the poem that you find particularly enjoyable? Share these with the class, briefly discussing what you find funny about the ideas or the language.

Answer:

There are several lines in the poem that I find amusing. Here are a few examples:

a. "If he roars at you as you're dyin'

You'll know it is the Asian Lion..."

b. "a noble wild beast greets you"

c. "He'll only lep and lep again"

d. "He'll give you just one more caress."

e. "If there is nothing on the tree, 'Tis the chameleon you see."