CBSE Class 10 English How to Tell Wild Animals VBQs

Extract-Based Questions

Q. 1. If strolling forth, a beast you view,
Whose hide with spots is peppered,
As soon as he has leapt on you,
You’ll know it is the Leopard.
He will do no good to roar with pain,
He’ll only lep and lep again

Question. Given below are four examples of activities that Jasmeet does. Choose the option that correctly demonstrates ‘strolling’.
(a) Jasmeet runs with a great speed after being chased by a dog.
(b) Jasmeet walks in the garden, relaxing while listening to his favourite song.
(c) Jasmeet skids sharply on the icy skate rink.
(d) Jasmeet rushes to switch off the water pump in the backyard.
Answer : B

Question. Choose the option listing the stanza that would follow the given extract.

(a) Option 1
(b) Option 2
(c) Option 3
(d) Option 4
Answer : C

Question. The repetition used in “he’ll only lep and lep again” is an example of
(a) poetic justice.
(b) satire.
(c) allusion.
(d) poetic licence.
Answer : D

Question. Which option lists the statement that is NOT TRUE according to the extract?
(a) The poetess asks the reader to hide on seeing the leopard.
(b) The poetess cautions the reader about a leopard when walking through its territory.
(c) The poetess informs the reader that a leopard can launch repeated attacks.
(d) The poetess tells the reader that a leopard attack can result in pain.
Answer : A

Question. Choose the option that matches with the rhyme scheme of the extract.

(a) Option 1
(b) Option 2
(c) Option 3
(d) Option 4
Answer : C

Q. 2. Though to distinguish beasts of prey
A novice might nonplus,
The Crocodiles you always may
Tell from the Hyenas thus;
Hyenas come with merry smiles;
But if they weep they’re Crocodiles.

Question. Choose the option that DOES NOT describe a ‘novice’.
(a) Lakshman has played cricket for the first time today.
(b) Samiksha has been teaching for last ten years.
(c) Srishti went for her first French class yesterday.
(d) Gautam baked a second cake to improve his skills.
Answer : B

Question. What, according to the extract, would cause bewilderment?
(a) Discovering the similarity between different preys of beasts.
(b) Analysing habits of beasts that prey on hyenas.
(c) Knowing the difference between several beasts of prey.
(d) Drawing the similarities between crocodiles and hyenas.
Answer : C

Question. Which option lists the image that DOES NOT indicate what the poet means by ‘beasts of prey’?

(a) Option 1
(b) Option 2
(c) Option 3
(d) Option 4
Answer : D

Question. Choose the crocodile fact that is related to the given extract.
(a) They have webbed feet which, though not used to propel them through the water, allow them to make fast turns and sudden moves in the water or initiate swimming.
(b) Absence of sweat glands and so, release heat through their mouths making them often sleep with their mouths open.
(c) 99% of crocodiles are eaten in the first year of their life by large fish, hyenas, monitor lizards and larger crocodiles.
(d) While eating, they swallow too much air, which gets in touch with lachrymal glands and causes them to weep.
Answer : D

Question. Choose the line from the given stanza that the poet takes liberty with, to fit to the rhyme scheme.
(a) Though to distinguish beasts of prey
(b) A novice might nonplus
(c) The Crocodile you always may
(d) Hyenas come with merry smiles
Answer : B

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question. “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”.
Answer : The irony in the above quote is, if we ever go to 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.

Question. 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.
Answer : The two instances of hyperbole are as follows:
(i) The Crocodiles you always may tell from the Hyenas thus; Hyenas come with merry smiles; But if they
weep they are crocodile. Practically, we have never seen a hyena smile nor a crocodile weep.
(ii) ‘If there is nothing on the tree, this the chameleon you see’. A chameleon may be camouflaged but not
invisible.

Question. “If there is nothing on the tree, / ‘Tis the chameleon you see.” Briefly explain the paradox of the quote.
Answer : Paradox is a logically self-contradictory statement so when there is nothing visible on the tree it means there is no creature. But the next line contradicts the former one.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question. Which genre is most appropriate for the poem?
Substantiate your choice with reference to the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals”.
Answer : According to me, the poem belongs to ‘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 create humour.

Question. “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’. Actually the knowledge provided through this poem is not worth the cost. But it definitely creates humour. And humour is the fuel of life. Thus the poetess successful use of humour helps liven our minds and brings a smile on our faces.

Question. 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”.
Answer : Yes, I do 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 great details. She treats even ferocious animals and beasts with a coat of gentle but weird humour.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question. 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.
Answer : If you ever happen to visit the West Highlands of Scotland for holidaying and you are restless to keep a pet. Then, instead of a dog another is advisable. Because it won’t let you rest at all. An otter is a wonderful creature which resemble a very small dragon. It is coated with pointed scales. Between the scales is visible a soft velvet fur. Only to see its beautiful scaled coat and velvety fur you have to remove the mud completely by bathing it nearly for a month. Only then the otter could be seen in its true colours. And while bathing it you have to keep your nose covered because it may stink badly. This chocolate brown mole like cremate will never even remind you of a chocolate. But it will definitely help you to extend and spread every drop of water and last but not the least let the people around you not recognize what it actually is and give wild guesses about him.

Question. Write a letter to the poet detailing your favourite aspects of the poem and the ones that you did not like. Include a request about which animal you’d like her to exclusively compose a poem on. Give reason/s for your choice.
XYZ
USA
18 JulyXXXX
Dear Ms. Wells
I just read your poem “How to Tell Wild Animals” and enjoyed it thoroughly!
(continue)
Yours sincerely
Answer : Dear Ms. Wells
I just read your poem “How to Tell Wild Animals” and enjoyed it thoroughly! The humorous poem wonderfully tells us how to a person can recognize animals. The methods suggested of recognizing wild animals i.e. watching them how they eat us it quite funny.
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 ones spinal code. But the description of rest of the animals was quite hilarious.
I, hereby, want you to compose one such poem on elephants. I’m sure children will definitely like it as they are very fond of elephants. They also fascinate other animal groups due to their humongous size. Also, I request you describe its virtue, how it is helpful to us.
Your Sincerely
XYZ