Class 10 English Chapter 1 Practice Question Answers - First Flight

Q1. Identify the figure of speech in the phrase “quite rage” used by the poet.
(a) Oxymoron
(b) Alliteration
(c) Metaphor
(d) Symbolism
Ans: (a)
The figure of speech in the phrase "quite rage" is an Oxymoron. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines contradictory or opposite words to create a unique expression. In this case, "quite," which suggests calmness or moderation, is paired with "rage," which conveys intense anger or fury. The use of an oxymoron here emphasizes the tiger's conflicting emotions, portraying it as both fierce and confined, highlighting the contrast between its natural instincts and its captivity.

Q2. ”He should be lurking in shadow” , ‘shadow’ here refers to the shadow of-
(a) the tiger.
(b) long grass.
(c) water hole.
(d) deer
Ans: (b)
In the line, "He should be lurking in shadow," the word "shadow" refers to the shadow of "long grass." The tiger's natural habitat consists of forests or grasslands where it can move stealthily through the vegetation to hunt its prey. The mention of "shadow" implies that the tiger should be in its natural environment, concealed among the tall grass, ready to stalk and pounce on its unsuspecting prey.

Q3. The main contrasting idea suggested in the poem is that of
(a) strength and weakness.
(b) nature and culture.
(c) beasts and mortals.
(d) confinement and freedom.
Ans: (d)
The main contrasting idea suggested in the poem is that of "confinement and freedom." Throughout the poem, the poet contrasts the tiger's captivity in the zoo with its natural state of freedom in the wild. The tiger's pacing in the cage and its longing for its natural habitat emphasize the stark contrast between the restricted life in captivity and the freedom it would experience if it were in its native environment.

Q4. What is the rhyme scheme of the poem?
(a) abab
(b) aaab
(c) abba
(d) abcb
Ans: (d)
The rhyme scheme of the poem is "abcb." In a poem's rhyme scheme, each letter represents a different rhyme sound. In this poem, the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyme with each other, while the first and third lines have different rhyme sounds. This pattern continues throughout the poem, creating a consistent and rhythmic flow.

Q5. Which option correctly lists the reason for the tiger ‘stalking the length of his cage’?
(a) Animals tend to cover large distances and burn a lot of their energy by hunting for prey in their natural habitat. Zoos deprive them of such stimulation, and they are restless and bored.
(b) Animals are scared of visitors gazing at them in their unnatural surroundings. Zoos are places where animals are far removed from the privacy of their natural habitat.
(c) Animals dislike human noises in the city and react to them aggressively. Zoos are often located in cities or outskirts.
(d) Animals require human love and care and miss this when in captivity. Zoos are places where they walk around mechanically to attract human attention.
Ans: (a)
The correct reason for the tiger "stalking the length of his cage" is option A. In its natural habitat, tigers cover large distances while hunting for prey, which helps them burn energy and stay mentally stimulated. However, in the confinement of a zoo, they are deprived of this stimulation and become restless and bored. Thus, the tiger's behavior of pacing back and forth in its cage is a result of its instinctual need for movement and hunting in a restricted environment.

Q6. Choose the option listing the most likely reason for the tiger to ignore visitors.
(a) He is scared of their constant stares.
(b) The visitors don’t provide him with any food.
(c) He knows that none would be scared of him.
(d) The visitors don’t speak to him kindly.
Ans: (c)
The most likely reason for the tiger to ignore visitors is option C. The phrase "He knows that none would be scared of him" suggests that the tiger is accustomed to the visitors' presence and is aware that it does not pose a threat to them. In its natural habitat, tigers are at the top of the food chain, and most animals fear them. However, in the zoo, the tiger has lost its dominant status, and the visitors do not exhibit fear towards it.

Q7. Which fact DOES NOT connect with the significance of the water hole for the tiger?
(a) Many tigers chase prey into the water and hold the victim’s head under water until it suffocates.
(b) Prey feeds in the water on water-lilies and often wander into the middle of the water hole, where they are vulnerable and easy for the tiger to kill.
(c) Prey which has quenched its thirst, ensures the consumption of hydrated meat for the tiger.
(d) Chasing the panicked prey from shallow to deep water, where the tiger grabs it.
Ans: (c)
The fact that DOES NOT connect with the significance of the water hole for the tiger is option C. The other options describe how the water hole plays a crucial role in the tiger's hunting strategy and obtaining prey. Option C, on the other hand, focuses on the prey's consumption of hydrated meat after drinking water, but it does not directly relate to the tiger's actions or strategy when hunting near the water hole.

Q8. Identify the poetic device
“And stares with his brilliant eyes
At the brilliant stars.”
(a) Oxymoron
(b) Imagery
(c) Metaphor
(d) Symbolism
Ans: (b)
The poetic device used in the line "And stares with his brilliant eyes At the brilliant stars" is Imagery. Imagery is a literary device that appeals to the reader's senses and creates vivid mental pictures using descriptive language. In this line, the use of "brilliant eyes" and "brilliant stars" appeals to the sense of sight, helping readers visualize the tiger gazing intently at the stars in the night sky.

Q9. Identify the poetic device. “On pads of velvet quiet”
(a) Alliteration
(b) Personification
(c) Metaphor
(d) Symbolism
Ans: (c)
The poetic device used in the line "On pads of velvet quiet" is Metaphor. A metaphor is a figure of speech that compares two unrelated things by stating that one is the other. In this line, the tiger's paws are compared to "pads of velvet," suggesting that the tiger's steps are soft and silent, similar to the gentle and smooth texture of velvet.

Q10. Identify the poetic device.
“Stalking the length of his cage,
Ignoring visitors.”
(a) Oxymoron
(b) Imagery
(c) Metaphor
(d) Symbolism
Ans: (b)
The poetic device used in the line "Stalking the length of his cage, Ignoring visitors" is Imagery. Imagery is used here to create a visual image of the tiger walking back and forth in its cage and ignoring the visitors. It helps the reader picture the tiger's restless behavior and its lack of interest in the onlookers who visit the zoo.

Q11. Identify the poetic device.
“He should be lurking in shadow,
Sliding through long grass”
(a) Oxymoron
(b) Personification
(c) Metaphor
(d) Symbolism
Ans: (b)
The poetic device used in the lines "He should be lurking in shadow, Sliding through long grass" is Personification. Personification is a figure of speech where human qualities are attributed to non-human entities or objects. In this case, the poet gives the tiger the human-like action of "lurking in shadow" and "sliding through long grass," which creates a vivid image of the tiger's natural behavior in its habitat.

Q12. Identify the poetic device. ”plump deer pass”
(a) Alliteration
(b) Personification
(c) Metaphor
(d) Symbolism
Ans: (a)
The poetic device used in the phrase "plump deer pass" is Alliteration. Alliteration is the repetition of initial consonant sounds in neighboring words. In this line, the "p" sound is repeated in "plump" and "pass," which creates a pleasing rhythm and adds emphasis to the image of the deer moving past.

Q13. The poem “A Tiger in the Zoo” is written by-
(a) Leslie Morris
(b) Haruki Murakami
(c) Margaret Atwood
(d) Toni Morrison
Ans: (a)
The poem "A Tiger in the Zoo" is written by Leslie Norris.

Q14. Choose the most suitable meaning of the word, “snarl”, as used in the poem.
(a) a rough sound, usually made in anger
(b) to become twisted together and difficult to separate
(c) to make a deep, rough sound while showing the teeth
(d) All of the above
Ans: (c)
The most suitable meaning of the word "snarl," as used in the poem, is option C. "to make a deep, rough sound while showing the teeth." This definition fits the context of the poem, where the tiger's snarl is described as it displays its teeth, a typical behavior indicating aggression or warning.

Q15.  According to the poem, the poet wishes for the tiger to be ‘sliding’ through the foliage as this would
(a) assist in keeping the prey unsuspecting of the predator’s presence.
(b) aid in camouflaging the presence of the predator before it rushes in.
(c) help the predator pounce on the prey comfortably without getting tired.
(d) Support the predator’s vision as it eyes its prey.
Ans: (a)
According to the poem, the poet wishes for the tiger to be "sliding" through the foliage as this would "assist in keeping the prey unsuspecting of the predator's presence." The word "sliding" implies the tiger's stealthy movement, enabling it to approach its prey silently and catch it off guard, increasing the likelihood of a successful hunt.