CBSE Class 10 English Fire and Ice Assignment Set 02

Short Answer Type Questions
 

Question. “Fire and Ice” was first published in 1920. Briefly explain how WW I might have influenced the theme of the poem.
Answer: The poem is written shortly after the end of the first world war and is greatly influenced. The war proved it right how men’s technological, economic and intellectual progress led to self-destruction. The speaker is worried about the survival of the world.

Question. Create a tag line / slogan / catchphrase for the poem.
Answer: Tagline/ slogans for the poem-
“Overdevelopment sometimes lead to self-destruction”
“If you ignore nature, nature will ignore you”
“Self-satisfaction is mandatory to avoid self destruction”
“Show empathy towards nature”

Question. The tone of the speaker contrasts with the seriousness of the subject matter. Justify.
Answer: The speaker is presenting his personal opinion about the possibilities of the end of the world which is a serious matter. But the speaker’s tone is casual and conversational. He talks with the reader as if they are his friend. He is using casual words like, ‘some say’, ‘I hold with’, ‘I think I know’ etc.

Question. Fire and Ice project a pessimistic outlook. Comment.
Answer: The poet links human desire to be the reason for the possible extinction of the world. The poem tries to imply that humanity should not try to innovate and develop new weapons. It projects a pessimistic outlook by suggesting that following dreams and passion by humankind may lead to catastrophic destruction on the earth.

Question. Evaluate the line- Some say the world will end in fire/ Some say in ice- in the context of volcanic eruptions, forest fires, meteor collisions, melting ice caps etc.
Answer: There have been incidents of natural disasters that created havoc on earth. Every year forest fires, volcanic eruptions account for a huge loss of flora and fauna and even humans. Fires due to meteor collisions cause measurable effects on life. Loss of person and property in Uttrakhand, India (Kedarnath temple) could be attributed to the melting ice caps.

Question. The use of symbolism in the poem ‘Fire and Ice’ conveys the poet’s message effectively. Expand with reference to the poem.
Answer: Poem discusses the way the world can end – Fire stands for greed/lust/human desire; Ice stands for hatred/coldness/human indifference; – world can end with either greed or indifference

Question. For the poet, what does ‘ice’ stand for’? How is it sufficient to bring destruction?
Answer: For the poet, ‘ice’ stands for insensitivity and coldness, indifference and intolerance. These qualities are sufficient to bring destruction because they promote hatred amongst people and ultimately lead to destruction.

Question. What do you think would be enough to destroy the world ? Can Fire and Ice contribute to it ?
Answer: Our desires and hatred would be enough to destroy the world. According to the poet, ‘fire’ represents ‘desire’ and ‘ice’ represents ‘hatred’. Desires like fire, spread rapidly and engulf one’s whole life. Similarly, ‘hatred’ fills the life with poison.

Question. What is the underlying idea of the poem ‘Fire and Ice’ ?
Answer: The poet equates fire with ‘desire’ and ice with ‘hatred’. Both of these are growing with enormous speed. If we don’t check them from growing, the world will perish: So we must restrain our desires and love our fellow-beings.

Question. Which two ideas about how the world will end have been mentioned in the poem? Which ideas does the poet support more ?
Answer: The two ideas mentioned are that the world will end in fire or in ice. Though the poet thinks both are great for destruction, yet he seems to favour the idea of destruction of world in fire a little more than in ice.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question. Imagine that Nelson Mandela read ‘Fire and Ice’. As Mandela, write a diary entry associating the impact of the troubled history of South Africa with the idea expressed in the poem.
You may begin like this:
10 May 1994, Tuesday 10 p.m.
Today, when I am the President of South Africa, I can’t help recalling Robert
Frost’s ‘Fire and Ice’………(continue)………
Answer: 10 May 1994, Tuesday 10 p.m.
Today, when I am the President of South Africa, I can’t help recalling Robert Frost’s Fire and Ice. As Frost said if the world had to perish twice ice would suffice. I agree that hatred and indifference are sharper than any weapon to end the world. Half of the population of South Africa was forced to bear the tortures of apartheid.
Today, we are free but humanity needs real independence from hatred and partiality. People of any colour and caste is no less than the other. The world seems beautiful only when you have beautiful eyes. Everyone has to be empathetic towards the less privileged people and a life supporting natural environment. All should try to make a strong foundation based on equality and empathy to sustain life on earth.

Question. Most of your classmates, like Frost, feel that man’s greed and rage or hate would lead the world to its destruction.
You feel that the ‘fire and ice’ in Mankind can be addressed to create a harmonious world. Write a speech, for your classmates, expressing your belief/s with respect to the poem.
Answer: Fire and Ice
Good morning teachers and my friends! I do not believe in the pessimistic view of Sir Robert Frost that our desires can take the world near to destruction. I feel that this fire and ice can be tamed to cultivate a harmonious relationship among people.
“Necessity is the mother of invention”. A man without desire is no more than an animal. Human has added comfort to his life by keeping passions and desires alive. I agree that unchecked aspirations sometimes turn harmful. However, by making strict rules and staying vigilant, this fire can be kept under control. Fire adds taste to food but burns the house as well if left uncontrolled.

Question. How does the poem depict the two contrasting ideas Tire’ and ‘ice’ ? Can hatred destroy us and the world?
Explain bringing out values which can make this world a better place to live in.
Answer:
(i) In this poem, Robert Frost refers to two contrasting ideas- Fire and Ice as predictions of how the world will end. According to him, some people to say that the world will end in fire while some other hold that this will end in ice. The poet equates desire with fire and hatred with ice. Both the desire and hatred are growing with such a rapid speed that the world will come to an end either of the way.
(ii) Yes, hatred can destroy us and the world. Intolerance in behaviour creates hatred that leads to fury and cruelty. One becomes hard-hearted and insensitive to the feelings of others.
(iii) Love, brotherhood, tolerance, peace, contentment, sensitivity, benevolence, generosity among people can make this world a better place to live in.
 

Extract Based Questions

1. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great And would suffice.

Question. Fill the blank with one word.
When the speaker says that ice could also bring about the end of the world, he refers to _____, as the means for destruction.
Answer: hatred/indifference/bitterness/apathy/detachment/rigidity

Question. What does the speaker’s alignment with those who favour ice, suggest?
Answer: The speaker’s alignment with those who favour ice suggests that they have seen the destructive consequences of a lack of empathy and emotional connection.

Question. Which of the following best describes the speaker’s attitude towards destruction caused by ice?
(a) Indifferent
(b) Fearful
(c) Dismissive
(d) Respectful
Answer: (d) Respectful

Question. Comment on the poet’s use of language in these lines.
Answer: The language in these lines is simple and easy to understand. The tone of the lines is conversational and states an important message through its simple words. The simplicity of these lines create awareness for a wider audience.

2. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follows :
Some say that the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favour fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
to say that for destruction ice
is also great and would suffice.

Question. Fill the blank with one word.
According to the poet, fire refers to violent desires passion and _____.
Answer: jealousy

Question. What does the poet wants to convey through the poem?
Answer: Through the poem ‘Fire and Ice’, the poet wants to convey that the world will come to an end either by fire or by ice. Fire, here stands for desire and greed and ice here stands for hatred and rigidity.

Question. Identify the most likely tone of the poet in the given lines :
‘to say that for destruction ice is also great’
(a) Sarcastic
(b) Humorous
(c) Optimistic
(d) Encouraging
Answer: (a) Sarcastic

Question. How does Robert Frost caution the common man? Answer in about 40 words.
Answer: Robert Frost cautions the common man and says that he should not forget the bitter reality that everything in this world is transitory and death is inevitable. So man should avoid being too desirous or too indifferent.