CBSE Class 10 English Fire and Ice HOTS

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.

Some say 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. Select the appropriate option that list the words apt for ‘fire’ in this poem.
1. passion
2. hatred
3. indifference
4. greed
5. desire
6. selfishness
7. destructiveness
(a) 1,3&7
(b) 1,4,5&7
(c) 2,3&6
(d) 2&5
Answer. B

Question. What message does the poet want to convey through this poem?
(a) Everything is transitory
(b) Life is unpredictable
(c) Death is inevitable
(d) Both (a) and (c)
Answer. D

Question. Find the word from the passage which means the same as 'to die'.
(a) Destruction
(b) Favour
(c) Desire
(d) perish
Answer. D

Question. Select the option that correctly classifies the connotations for fire and ice, as suggested in the poem.
1. Rage
2. Violence
3. Indifference
4. Hate
5. Greed
(a) Fire-3, 4; Ice-1, 2, 5
(b) Fire-2, 5; Ice-1, 3, 4
(c) Fire-1, 3, 5; Ice-2, 4
(d) Fire-1, 2, 4; Ice-3, 5
Answer. D

Question. Choose the CORRECT statement. About the given poem.
(a) Fire and ice are images-they help the readers visualise the power of nature over man.
(b) Fire and ice are symbols-not of natural disasters, but of humanity’s ability to create disasters of its own.
(c) Fire and ice are elements-not of Nature but man-made and possess the ability to create havoc for mankin(d)
(d) Fire and ice are agents-they change the thinking of mankind from negative to positive and bring harmony.
Answer. B

Question. Given below are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R) on the basis of the poem. Read both the statements carefully and choose the correct alternative from the following.
Assertion (A): According to the poet, the end will end in ice.
Reason (R): the poet suggests that the reason behind this destruction is the hatred in the worl(d) Codes
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of (a)
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of (a)
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer. A

Question. Pick the option that is NOT TRUE about the poet according to the extract. The poet
(a) is inclined to believe that the world would most likely end with fire.
(b) has heard divided opinions about the way the world would end in all likelihoo(d)
(c) preaches love and kindness to combat the spread of hate among all.
(d) declares the power of ice to be as destructive as that of fire.
Answer. C

Question. Choose the correct option to complete the following:
Desire and hate are………………………..
(a) two deadly sins of devils.
(b) two big virtues of devils.
(c) two big virtues of mankin(d)
(d) two deadly sins of mankind
Answer. D

Question. Which of the following lines use(s) the poetic device 'symbolism"?
1. Some say the world will end in fire
2. Some say in ice
3. But if it has to perish twice
4. To say that for destruction ice, is also great
5. Of desire I hold with those who favour fire
(a) Options 1 and 3
(b) Options 1, 2, 4 and 5
(c) Options 2, 4 and 5
(d) Only option 3
Answer. B

Question. The poet, Robert Frost, deals with a very sublime subject in the poem 'Fire and Ice' -……………
(a) Love and hatred
(b) Freedom
(c) End of the world
(d) None of the above
Answer. A

Some say the world will end in fire 
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favour fire.

(a) What is the underlying idea of the poem ‘Fire and Ice’?
(b) Why does the poet say, ‘I’ve tasted of desire I hold with those who favour fire’?

Answer. (a) The poet compares fire with ‘desire’ and ice with ‘hatred’. These emotions grow with time. If one does not keep a check on them from growing, the world will perish. Therefore one must learn to control emotions and love our fellow beings.
(b) The poet is aware of the fire of passions and desires in love. He knows that uncontrolled passions and fury will lead to the destruction of the world.

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. Where fire stands for greed, lust and human desire; ice stands for hatred, coldness and human indifference.
The world may end with either greed or indifference.

Question. What’s the deep meaning given in the poem?
Answer. The deeper meaning is that people are spreading ‘desire’ and ‘hatred’ out in the world. People say that the world may end due to ‘fire’ or ‘ice’. But he feels that various human emotions symbolize both of these. ‘Fire’ shall end it but ‘ice’ shall end it twice.

Question. How will the world end twice?
Answer. The poet believes that both fire and ice are destructive. According to the poet, ‘fire’ represents desire whereas ‘ice’ stands for hatred. Both the emotions are strong enough to kill humanity and destroy the world.

Question. What does ‘fire’ and ‘ice’ stand for and what is the general opinion regarding the world ?
Answer. Fire stands for fury, hatred, anger, cruelty; ice is symbolic of insensitivity, coldness and intolerance-General opinion-some say ice, while others say fire will destroy the world.

Question. Explain the symbols used in the poem ‘Fire and Ice’ by Frost. 
Answer. Frost depicts fire as human desires and lust for things. It symbolizes all the uncontrolled greed that humans have for things. Ice is the symbol of coldness. It symbolizes hatred, indifference and jealousy. It depicts frozen relationships.

Question. What do you think would be enough to destroy the world?
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 life with poison.

Question. What is the poet’s view about how the world will end?
Answer. The poet believes that the world is more likely to end because of the fires of desires in man. The never ending greed for more will bring the end upon us.

Question. Give a brief substance of the poem, ‘Fire and Ice’. (or) What are the ideas about how the world will end?
Answer. The Bible says that the world will end in fire. Scientists say that in case of a nuclear war, the world will freeze to death. The poet says that even otherwise there is enough hate and desire (lust) in the world to bring about its en(d)

Question. How does the use of language help in making the poem effective and meaningful?
Answer. Frost choose words from the everyday talk. The poem is full of colloquial tone and conversational language. The contrast between simple and precise vocabulary, and the vague gravity of its subjects makes the poem serious and meaningful. The abrupt beginning of the opening sets the tone of the speech and make the poem vivid and lively.

Question. “I think I know enough of hate”. What does the poet know about hate?
Answer. The poet says that he knows enough of hate, but we are not told he has first-hand knowledge about hate or he experiences it at a distance. But the poet’s intuitive power reminds him that it no less dangerous than the fire of lust. It can also play a trick upon anybody as it is a silent killer.

Question. Do you think that either fire or ice has the power to ruin the world?
Answer. Yes, I do believe that either of fire and ice has the power to ruin the worl(d) We believe that the world will come to an end someday, but nobody knows when and how. The world may be destroyed if it becomes hot by the heat of the sun. It may also crumble under intense col(d) In both cases, the destruction of the world is certain.

Question. The tone of the speaker contrasts with the seriousness of the subject matter. Justify.
Answer. In the poem, 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. Throughout the poem, he is using casual words like 'some say', 'I hold with, I think I know, et(c)

Question. Fire and Ice' projects a pessimistic outlook. Comment.
Answer. The poet after observing the world and its ways, has expressed ideas of how the world will en(d) Some people believe that the world will be destroyed by fire, while others argue that it will be frozen. The poet, has not been pessimistic in his outlook, but realistic, as he tries to convey the gravity of the situation, through the poem. He is perhaps cautioning us to keep a check on ourselves and our emotions at all times.

Question. "But if it had to perish twice". Why does the poet use 'if' in the quotation?
Answer. Nobody knows whether the world will end in fire or in ice. But the idea of the destruction of the world twice is somewhat complicate(d) That's why, he expresses his suspicion by using the term 'if'.

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 spee(d) If we don't check them from growing, the world will perish. So, we must restrain our desires and love our fellow beings.

Question. There are many ideas about how the world will 'end'. Do you think the world will end some day? Have you ever thought what would happen if the sun got so hot that it 'burst', or grew colder and colder?
Answer. I don't think the world will ever en(d) It will go on provided man lets it go on. The sun is already as hot as it can be. Therefore, there is no possibility of its bursting. And to grow as cold as ice, it will take millions and millions of years. Thus, both the possibilities are very remote.

Question. What do different people say about the end of the world?
Answer. Some people say that the world will end in fire. They believe in what the Bible says. Others say that the world will end in ice. They believe in what the scientists say. They say in case of a nuclear war everything will freeze to death.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question. What deep meaning does the poem ‘Fire and Ice’ carry in it ?
Answer. The poet has compared fire to the dark side of humanity i.e., hatredness and lust. According to the poet lust is a greater evil. Desire or lust is the cause of war. Hatredness is also harmful. So the poem ‘Fire and Ice’ represents the two evils hatredness and lust which lead to the destruction of the world. According to the poet fire stands for desire, greed and avarice. The more you try to satisfy them, the more they grow. There is no end to it. They spread rapidly like fire and ruin your whole life. On the other hand, ‘ice’ according to the poet, stands for hatred, coldness and rigidity. One becomes insensitive and indifferent towards the feelings of others. One becomes selfish and sometimes cruel also. The poet says that both fire and ice are growing with such a rapid speed that the world would soon perish either way, in fire or in ice.

Question. Write a brief note on how Frost deals with the theme in his poems.
Answer. The poetic themes in Frost's poems are beaten track but his handling of them is unique. To Frost, the incident is not so important, but he gives importance to its dramatic possibilities. Truth for Frost is not a philosophical concept, rather it is a rational observation of facts and their representation in a direct way with intimacy. This is why, there is so little of philosophy in Frost and so much of wit and wisdom. The poet leads his reader towards wisdom by giving him some pleasure at the very outset.

Question. The use of symbolism in the poem, Fire and Ice' conveys the poet's message effectively. Expand with reference to the poem.
Answer. This poem is a meditation on the end of the worl(d) According to the Bible, the world will end by fire. But the modern scientists believe that in case of a nuclear war all life on this earth shall be frozen to death. The poet has succeeded in conveying his message regarding the end of the world by using symbolism in this poem. He has used Fire and Ice as two symbols. Fire represents desire, and Ice represents hatred among mankin(d) Desire and hate are two deadly sins of mankin(d) They are as powerful weapons of destruction as fire and ice can be.

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