Question 2 - How to Tell Wild Animals - First Flight - Poems (Literature) - English Class 10

Read the given extract and answer the questions

Extract :

If when walking round your yard

You meet a creature there,

Who hugs you very, very hard,

You’ll know it is the Bear.

But if its nose is long and thin,

And hairy like a stubble-brush,

And if it climbs into your bin,

You’ll know it is the Walrus …

(How to tell wild animals)

Question (i)

What does the poet mean by "hugs you very, very hard" in line 3?

• A) The creature is friendly and affectionate.
• B) The creature is trying to squeeze you to death.
• C) The creature is cold and needs warmth.
• D) The creature is playing a game with you.

Answer:

Answer as written by the student:

B) The creature is trying to squeeze you to death.

Step-by-Step Explanation: 🐻

• The poet uses irony and exaggeration to describe how the bear attacks its prey by hugging them very hard. This is not a friendly or playful gesture, but a deadly one.😱
•  The poet also contrasts the word "hug" which usually has a positive connotation with the words "very, very hard" which imply pain and danger. This creates humor and sarcasm in the poem.😂
•  Therefore, the correct answer is B) The creature is trying to squeeze you to death.👍

Question (ii)

What kind of nose does the walrus have according to the poet?

Answer:

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Answer as written by the student:

A long and thin nose.

Step-by-Step Explanation: 🐘

•  The poet uses simile and imagery to describe the walrus's nose in line 6. He compares it to a stubble-brush, which is a brush used for shaving or cleaning. 🪒
•  A stubble-brush has long and thin bristles that are hairy and rough. The poet uses this comparison to make fun of the walrus's appearance and behavior.😆
•  Therefore, the answer is a long and thin nose.👍

Question (iii)

 How does the poet create humor in this extract?

Answer:

Answer as written by the student:

 The poet creates humor in this extract by using irony, contrast, exaggeration, and personification.🤣

Step-by-Step Explanation: 🐾

•  Irony is when something happens or is said that is opposite or different from what is expected or intended . For example, the poet uses irony when he says that the bear hugs you very hard, which implies that it is killing you instead of showing affection.😬
•   Contrast is when two things are compared or contrasted that are different or opposite from each other . For example, the poet uses contrast when he compares

Question (iv)

Fill in the blank: 

The poet uses __________ to give human traits and behaviors to the animals in the poem.

Answer:  

Answer as written by the student:

Personification

Step-by-Step Explanation: 🐳

• Personification is a figure of speech that gives human traits and behaviors to non-human things, such as animals, objects, or ideas. 👥
• The poet uses personification to make the animals in the poem more funny and relatable. For example, he makes the walrus climb into a bin, which is something that humans do when they are looking for something or throwing away trash.🗑️
• Therefore, the answer is personification.👍

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