GSEB Class 10 English Solutions Chapter 3 A Tiger in the Zoo

Thinking About The Poem

Read the poem again, and work in pairs or groups to do the following tasks:

Question 1. Find the words that describe the movements and actions of the tiger in the cage and in the wild. Arrange them in two columns.
Answer:

Exam Tip: When categorizing actions, focus on distinctive behaviors in each environment to ensure clear differentiation.

Question 2. Find the words that describe the two places, and arrange them in two columns.
Answer:

Exam Tip: Pay close attention to descriptions that specifically denote location or habitat for accurate categorization.

Notice The Use Of A Word Repeated In Lines Such As These:

(1) On pads of velvet quiet,
In his quiet rage.

(2) And stares with his brilliant eyes
At the brilliant stars.

Question 1. What do you think is the effect of this repetition ?
Answer:
(1) The repetition of the word 'quiet' significantly increases the strength of difference between the tiger's deep anger and his helpless silence. This word choice emphasizes the stark contrast in the tiger's situation.
(2) The repetition of the word 'brilliant' makes the comparison more intense between the bright shine of the tiger's eyes and the sparkle of the stars. It highlights the striking visual link the poet wants us to see.
In simple words: Repeating words like 'quiet' and 'brilliant' makes the poem's feelings stronger. 'Quiet' shows how different the tiger's anger is from its silent state, and 'brilliant' really highlights the link between its eyes and the stars.

Exam Tip: When analyzing repetition, always consider how it deepens meaning, creates emphasis, or establishes a particular tone or mood.

Read The Following Two Poems – One About A Tiger And The Other About A Panther. Then Discuss:

Question 1. Are zoos necessary for the protection or conservation of some species of animals ? Are they useful for educating the public ? Are there alternatives to zoos ?
Answer: Zoos are places where many kinds of animals are kept. Some groups of people think that zoos should be banned in the 21st century because they remove animals' natural freedom. However, I do not agree with this idea due to the advantages zoos provide, like protecting animals, giving education and entertainment, and helping to keep ecological balance.
To begin with, most animals today are slowly losing their natural homes because of forest destruction and natural disasters. In these cases, zoos prove helpful for animals as they get a safer place to live. Zoos also offer enough room for big animals. Therefore, it is important to consider that zoos should exist.
Furthermore, in the past few decades, many animals have moved towards extinction because of hunting and illegal animal trade. For instance, in countries such as India, tigers are being killed, so the remaining tigers are protected by being kept in zoos. As a result, the Government of India has started many breeding programs to increase their numbers.
In addition, zoos give a huge source of information for children since they can enjoy watching animals closely. The pictures of animals they see in their books can be viewed live in zoos, and they can also be entertained. Lastly, zoos help maintain ecological balance by saving many animals. If animal extinction continues without being addressed, it will disrupt the natural life cycle in the long run and eventually lead to dangerous outcomes. Therefore, it is incorrect to imagine a world without zoos.
Considering all these points, I believe that zoos should not be banned because they provide safe living spaces for many animals.
In simple words: Zoos are places for animals. Some people think they are bad because they take away freedom. But zoos help protect animals, teach people, and keep nature balanced. Many animals lose their homes, so zoos offer a safe place. Zoos also help stop illegal hunting and run breeding programs. Children can learn a lot by seeing animals up close. If animals disappear, it harms the natural world, so zoos are important for protecting them and teaching us.

Exam Tip: When discussing controversial topics like zoos, present both sides of the argument before stating your own reasoned conclusion, supporting it with specific examples.

Question 4. Take a point of view for or against zoos, or even consider both points of view and write a couple of paragraphs or speak about this topic for a couple of minutes in class.
Answer: Today, almost every city has a zoo, keeping and showing many different wild animals. However, there is a debate about whether zoos are cruel or not. I will look at both sides and then share my opinion.
Some people argue that zoos are cruel, mainly because they think animals might suffer from living in them, where wild animals are kept in cages. These creatures do not have enough room to move freely. Zoos are especially harsh for animals born in the wild but then forced out of their natural environment. For them, the new setting in zoos could be difficult to get used to. As a result, sadness and physical issues might appear, damaging the quality of life for wild animals. In some cases, keepers who treat animals badly also add to the cruelty of zoos. For example, animals might suffer from not having enough food and water.
There are two main reasons why some people believe zoos can be helpful for protecting wild animals. First, zoos protect endangered species by giving them much-needed refuge. Having lost their natural homes, some animals must depend on zoos for space and food. In this sense, zoos are essential for their survival and to grow their numbers. If all zoos were closed, these creatures, with no natural homes left, would have no place to find safety. Second, zoos help people learn about wild animal protection. Zoos allow people to get close to wild animals and understand how they live. In this way, visitors to zoos will develop care for wild creatures.
As for my view, zoos, with their resources and knowledge in caring for animals, could be very useful in protecting endangered species from extinction.
In simple words: Many cities have zoos, but people argue if they are good or bad. Some say zoos are cruel because animals are caged, lack space, and can get sad or sick, especially if they are wild-born or mistreated. Others say zoos are good because they protect endangered animals, giving them shelter and food when their natural homes are gone. Zoos also teach people about wild animals, helping them care more. Personally, I think zoos, with their expert care, can help save animals from disappearing forever.

Exam Tip: When writing a persuasive essay or speech, clearly state your main argument, provide evidence for both supporting and opposing viewpoints, and then present your conclusion with a strong, well-reasoned stance.

GSEB Class 10 English A Tiger In The Zoo Additional Important Questions And Answers

Read The Following Stanzas Carefully And Answer The Questions Given Below Them:

Question 1.
He should be lurking in shadow,
Sliding through long grass
Near the water hole
Where plump deer pass.
He should be snarling around houses
At the jungle's edge,
Baring his white fangs, his claws,
Terrorising the village!

Questions:
(1) Where should the tiger be, according to the poet ?
(2) What freedom for the tiger is expected by the poet?
(3) Explain: 'Terrorising the village !'
Answer:
(1) According to the poet, the tiger should be freely moving in the forest. He imagines the tiger in its natural, untamed habitat, where it can act as nature intended.
(2) The poet thinks that the tiger should not be kept locked in a cage. He should be allowed to roam in the jungle, hunting for its food. This highlights the poet's desire for the tiger's true liberty.
(3) Here, the poet hints that if we ruin the natural home of tigers, they will be forced to come to our towns and villages to find food. The phrase 'Terrorising the village!' then describes the fear this would cause among people.
In simple words: (1) The poet thinks the tiger should be in the wild forest. (2) The poet believes the tiger should be free in the jungle, not caged, so it can hunt. (3) 'Terrorising the village!' suggests that if humans destroy tiger habitats, the tigers will come to villages, causing fear.

Exam Tip: When asked to explain a phrase from a poem, always connect it back to the larger themes or context presented in the stanza or the entire poem.

Question 2.
But he's locked in a concrete cell,
His strength behind bars,
Stalking the length of his cage,
Ignoring visitors.
He hears the last voice at night,
The patrolling cars,
And stares with his brilliant eyes
At the brilliant stars.

Questions:
(1) Where is the tiger as described in the last two stanzas ? Is he helpless there ? How ?
(2) What is the tiger doing there?
(3) What do the last two lines suggest ?
Answer:
(1) As described in the last two stanzas, the tiger is held in a concrete cell within a zoo. His immense power is also trapped, and no matter how strong he is, he feels powerless in this place. The bars and small space make him utterly dependent.
(2) The tiger is slowly moving back and forth in his small cage. He is also ignoring the people who come to see him, showing his disinterest or despair. He listens to the sounds of patrolling cars at night, and he looks up at the bright stars.
(3) The last two lines of the poem suggest the tiger's deep sense of powerlessness. He possesses bright, glowing eyes, which are useless here, even in the darkness. He keeps looking at the bright stars with his shining eyes, perhaps wondering why he has been imprisoned in this sad state.
In simple words: (1) The tiger is in a concrete cell at a zoo and is helpless because his great strength cannot be used. (2) He paces his cage, ignores visitors, hears night patrol cars, and stares at the stars. (3) The last two lines show the tiger's helplessness and perhaps his silent questioning of his imprisonment, looking to the stars for hope.

Exam Tip: When asked about a character's feelings, refer to specific actions or descriptions that convey those emotions, such as "ignoring visitors" for despair or "staring at stars" for longing.

Choose The Correct Figures Of Speech Used In The Following Lines:

Question 1. "He stalks in his vivid stripes
The few steps of his cage”.
(a) Metaphor
(b) Synecdoche
(c) Personification
(d) Simile
Answer: (c) Personification
In simple words: Personification is used because the tiger is given human-like qualities and actions, describing how it "stalks" within its confined space.

Exam Tip: Personification is often identified when an animal or inanimate object is described performing human actions or expressing human feelings.

Question 2. 'On pads of velvet quiet'.
(a) Transferred Epithet
(b) Metaphor
(c) Antithesis
(d) Oxymoron
Answer: (a) Transferred Epithet
In simple words: This is a transferred epithet because the word 'quiet' actually describes the tiger's movement, not the pads themselves, but it's transferred to the pads.

Exam Tip: A transferred epithet applies an adjective to a noun different from the one it actually describes, creating a descriptive effect.

Question 3. 'Where plump deer pass'.
(a) Alliteration
(b) Climax
(c) Paradox
(d) Hyperbole
Answer: (a) Alliteration
In simple words: Alliteration is present here because the 'p' sound is repeated at the beginning of "plump" and "pass."

Exam Tip: Alliteration is a common poetic device where consonant sounds are repeated at the beginning of words close to each other.

Question 4. His strength behind bars'.
(a) Euphemism
(b) Antithesis
(c) Alliteration
(d) Metonymy
Answer: (d) Metonymy
In simple words: This is metonymy because "bars" represents the entire cage or imprisonment, standing in for the larger concept of being confined.

Exam Tip: Metonymy uses a closely associated word or idea to represent something else, such as "the crown" representing royalty.

Question 5. 'And stares with his brilliant eyes
At the brilliant stars'.
(a) Synecdoche
(b) Hyperbole
(c) Repetition
(d) Alliteration
Answer: (c) Repetition
In simple words: Repetition is evident because the word "brilliant" is used multiple times, emphasizing the striking quality of both the tiger's eyes and the stars.

Exam Tip: Repetition is a straightforward figure of speech where a word or phrase is used more than once for emphasis or rhythm.

Answer The Following Questions In Three To Four Sentences Each:

Question 1. 'He stalks in his vivid stripes.' How does the tiger look in his cage ?
Answer: The tiger has distinct, clear stripes on his body. He appears majestic as he moves slowly and silently in his cage. He has soft, velvety paws and makes no sound as he walks. He also possesses bright, shining eyes, which stand out even in his confinement.
In simple words: The tiger has bright stripes and moves quietly and grandly in his cage. His soft paws make no sound, and his eyes shine brilliantly.

Exam Tip: When describing physical appearance, combine visual details with behavioral observations to create a comprehensive picture.

Question 2. On pads of velvet quiet / in his quiet rage, what does the tiger do in his cage ?
Answer: The cage is very small, so the tiger can barely take a few steps across its length. He does not pay any attention to the people who visit him there. With his bright eyes, he continues to look at the shining stars, perhaps finding some solace or hope in them.
In simple words: The tiger can only take a few steps in his tiny cage. He ignores visitors and stares at the bright stars with his shining eyes.

Exam Tip: Focus on the limited space and the tiger's reaction to its environment to highlight its feelings of confinement and longing.

Question 3. 'He should be lurking in shadow / sliding through long grass' what should the tiger be doing if he were in the jungle ?
Answer: If the tiger were in the jungle, he would be hiding in the tree shadows. He would be moving silently through the tall grass. He would also sit by a water hole, patiently waiting for some plump deer to walk by so he could hunt. This reflects his natural predatory instincts.
In simple words: In the jungle, the tiger would hide in shadows, move quietly through tall grass, and wait by a water hole for deer to pass.

Exam Tip: Describe the tiger's natural hunting behaviors and camouflage to show its true wild nature.

Question 4. 'He should be snarling around houses / at the jungle's edge' what should the tiger be doing if he were at the edge of the jungle ?
Answer: If the tiger were at the jungle's edge, he would be moving around the houses in a nearby village. He would be growling as he moved. The sight of his sharp white fangs and terrible claws would fill the villagers with terror, creating a sense of danger.
In simple words: At the jungle's edge, the tiger would growl near village houses, and its white fangs and claws would scare the villagers.

Exam Tip: Emphasize the tiger's intimidating features and actions to convey the fear it would instill in a village setting.

Question 5. 'Stalking the length of his cage / ignoring visitors' What is the tiger doing? Why is he ignoring the visitors ?
Answer: The tiger is moving slowly and silently along the length of his cage. He sees the visitors continuously coming and going. None of them seem to consider releasing him from the cage. The tiger views all of them as unfeeling individuals. Therefore, he stops paying any attention to them, showing his despair.
In simple words: The tiger slowly paces his cage, seeing visitors constantly come and go. He ignores them because he feels they lack empathy and won't free him.

Exam Tip: Connect the tiger's observation of visitors to its sense of hopelessness and frustration with its captivity.

Question 6. 'And stares with his brilliant eyes / at the brilliant stars' Why do you think the tiger looks at the stars ?
Answer: The tiger has lost all hope from humans. Now, he only holds hope from the heavens. It is this particular hope that has kept the brightness in his eyes alive. That is why the tiger gazes at the shining stars with his luminous eyes, perhaps dreaming of freedom.
In simple words: The tiger looks at the stars because he has lost hope in humans and now only finds hope in the sky. This hope keeps his eyes shining.

Exam Tip: Symbolism plays a crucial role here; the stars represent freedom and a distant hope, contrasting with the tiger's caged reality.

Question 7. How does a tiger create terror for the villagers ?
Answer: The tiger creates fear among the villagers by growling near their houses, especially since these homes are located close to the jungle. He frightens them by prominently displaying his white fangs and sharp claws. His powerful presence and aggressive sounds would make villagers feel unsafe and scared.
In simple words: A tiger scares villagers by snarling near their jungle-edge homes and showing its sharp white fangs and claws, making them terrified.

Exam Tip: When describing how a tiger creates terror, focus on its physical attributes and behaviors that are naturally perceived as threatening.

Question 8. Leslie Norris has described some of the activities of a tiger behind the bars of its cage. Write them.
Answer: Some of the tiger's actions behind its cage bars include pacing along the cage's length, ignoring the people who visit, hearing the sounds of patrolling cars, and gazing at the bright stars shining in the sky. These activities highlight its confined existence.
In simple words: In its cage, the tiger paces, ignores visitors, hears patrol cars, and stares at the bright stars.

Exam Tip: When asked to list activities, remember to include both direct actions and sensory perceptions that reveal the tiger's experience in captivity.

Question 9. Describe the tiger in the cage.
Answer: The tiger in the cage is a diminished version of its true self. He paces restlessly up and down in the cage. He is held in the small cell and continuously looks at the stars as if longing for freedom. He is powerless and evokes sympathy for his situation. His wild spirit is trapped.
In simple words: In the cage, the tiger is a weakened version of himself, pacing restlessly. He stares at the stars, wishing for freedom, feeling helpless and sad.

Exam Tip: Emphasize the contrast between the tiger's natural strength and its current state of confinement to convey its plight effectively.

Question 10. Describe the tiger in the wild.
Answer: The tiger in the wild is magnificent. He is free and rests under the shadows of trees, hunting for food. He moves near water sources because there is plenty of food available there. Sometimes he growls and frightens the people in nearby villages, asserting his dominance.
In simple words: In the wild, the tiger is grand and free. He rests in shades, hunts for prey, and moves near water where food is ample. He also growls and scares villagers.

Exam Tip: Highlight the tiger's freedom, power, and natural behaviors to effectively contrast it with its caged counterpart.

Question 11. Why does the tiger express his rage quietly ?
Answer: The tiger shows his anger quietly because there is absolutely nothing he can do from behind his cage bars. He is helpless, as his strength is now contained within the cage. He is no longer free as he once was in the jungle, making open defiance useless.
In simple words: The tiger expresses quiet rage because he's helpless in his cage. His strength is trapped, and he's no longer free to act on his anger.

Exam Tip: Focus on the tiger's inability to act due to its confinement as the primary reason for its subdued anger.

Question 12. Where should the tiger have been, according to the poet ?
Answer: The poet believes that the tiger should have been in the jungle, hiding in the shadows of tall grass to hunt the plump deer near the water hole. He also thinks the tiger should be on the outskirts of the jungle, growling around houses and frightening villagers. This vision highlights his natural habitat.
In simple words: The poet thinks the tiger should be in the jungle, hiding in grass to hunt deer near water. He should also be at the jungle's edge, snarling at villagers.

Exam Tip: When answering "according to the poet," always refer back to specific lines or imagery from the poem that convey the poet's perspective.

Question 13. How does the tiger make his presence felt in the village ?
Answer: The tiger makes its presence felt by growling near houses at the jungle's edge. He also shows his white fangs and claws, which are intimidating. This combination of sound and visual threat creates a strong sense of his presence and danger for the villagers.
In simple words: The tiger makes his presence known by snarling near jungle-edge houses and showing his white fangs and claws, terrifying the villagers.

Exam Tip: Emphasize both audible (snarling) and visual (fangs, claws) elements when describing how the tiger creates an impact.

Question 14. What does the tiger do in his cage?
Answer: The tiger is confined in a concrete cell where he can barely take a few steps across its length. He does not pay any attention to the people who visit him there. With his bright eyes, he continuously looks at the shining stars in the sky, perhaps longing for freedom.
In simple words: The tiger is trapped in a concrete cage, taking only a few steps. He ignores visitors and stares at the bright stars with his shining eyes.

Exam Tip: Describe the tiger's actions as a reflection of its confined state, focusing on its limited movement and distant gaze.

Question 15. Why should the tiger snarl around houses at the edge of the forest ?
Answer: The tiger should growl around houses at the edge of the forest for a couple of reasons. First, it ensures that the villagers will not disturb the forest's peace. Second, they will not hunt animals simply for money or enjoyment. The tiger's presence protects its habitat.
In simple words: The tiger should snarl near forest-edge houses so villagers won't disturb the forest's peace or hunt animals just for fun or money.

Exam Tip: When explaining reasons for an action, clearly state each point and how it contributes to the desired outcome (in this case, protection of the forest and its wildlife).

Question 16. What is the'tiger doing? Why is he ignoring the visitors ?
Answer: The tiger is moving slowly and quietly along the cage's length in a threatening manner. He is ignoring the visitors because he thinks they lack any real feelings. None of them consider releasing him from the cage. Thus, he stops paying any attention to them, showing his deep frustration.
In simple words: The tiger paces threateningly but quietly, ignoring visitors because he believes they are unfeeling and will not free him.

Exam Tip: Connect the tiger's observation of visitors to its sense of hopelessness and frustration with its captivity, which leads to ignoring them.

Question 17. Why, do you think, does the tiger look at the stars ?
Answer: The tiger feels very helpless in the cage. He stares with hope at the shining stars in the sky. He hopes for a day when he will be able to run free in the wild. The bright stars, therefore, give him some kind of comfort and a distant dream of freedom.
In simple words: The tiger looks at the stars because he feels helpless in the cage and hopes for freedom. The stars give him comfort and a sense of distant hope.

Exam Tip: The stars represent freedom and a distant hope for the confined tiger; articulate this symbolism clearly in your answer.

Question 18. What does the poet convey through the poem ?
Answer: The poet tries to reveal the difficult life led by animals in zoos. He compares the tiger's life in the zoo with its life in a natural environment. Animals deserve the right to freedom and should not be kept in cages. They should be allowed to run free in their natural habitats.
In simple words: The poet shows the sad life of zoo animals, comparing a caged tiger to a wild one. He believes animals deserve freedom and should live in nature, not cages.

Exam Tip: When analyzing a poem's message, identify the central contrast or conflict (e.g., freedom vs. captivity) and how the poet uses it to convey a broader theme.

Question 19. According to Leslie Norris, what contrasts the tiger in the zoo with the tiger in its natural habitat? (March 20)
Answer: Leslie Norris states that the tiger in a zoo's cage is just a reduced version of its original self. In contrast, the tiger in its natural environment (the wild) is magnificent. Here in the cage, he is confined to a narrow cell and keeps looking at the stars as if longing for freedom. He paces restlessly up and down in the cage, feeling utterly helpless. In the wild, he is free: he lies under the shades of trees and hunts for food. He does not go hungry because he finds plenty of food near water bodies. Sometimes he growls and frightens the villagers. This is a clear difference between being trapped and being free.
In simple words: Leslie Norris shows that a zoo tiger is a weaker version of its true self, caged and helpless, staring at stars for freedom. In the wild, the tiger is grand, free, hunts for food, and can terrify villagers, highlighting the difference between captivity and liberty.

Exam Tip: Clearly articulate the opposing conditions (confinement vs. freedom, diminished vs. majestic) and use vivid descriptions from the poem to support each aspect of the contrast.

A Tiger In The Zoo Summary In English

A Tiger In The Zoo Introduction:

George Leslie Norris (May 21, 1921 - April 6, 2006) was a highly respected Welsh poet and short story writer. Before 1974, he earned his living as a college lecturer, a teacher, and a headmaster. From 1974 onwards, he focused on full-time writing, often spending time as a writer-in-residence at academic institutions in Britain and the United States. Today, he is recognized as one of the most significant Welsh writers from the post-war period, known for his distinct voice and literary contributions.

A Tiger In The Zoo Summary:

This poem compares a tiger in its natural environment to one imprisoned in a zoo. On a clear night, the poet observes a tiger in a zoo. The tiger moves slowly up and down inside its cage. It is full of intense anger but remains quiet due to its helplessness. The poet feels sympathy for the tiger. He suggests that the tiger should have been in the jungle, moving silently in the shadows near a water hole, waiting for a plump deer to pass by. But sadly, it is locked behind bars in a concrete cell. He does not notice the visitors and instead looks at the bright stars with his shining eyes. Now, he must accept merely looking at the stars. He is no longer free to move in his natural environment and gaze at the shining stars from there. This stark contrast highlights the loss of freedom for the majestic creature.