Class 10 English Chapter 1 Question Answers - First Flight

Q1: What are two different views about the end of the world in the poem ‘Fire and Ice’?
Ans: The two views are that the world will end in fire, which represents human desire and passion, or in ice, which represents hatred and emotional coldness.

Q2: Why does the poet hold with those who favour fire?
Ans: The poet agrees with those who favour fire because he feels that strong desires, greed and uncontrolled passion are increasing rapidly and these forces are capable of destroying the world.

Q3: What is the central idea of the poem ‘Fire and ‘Ice’?
Ans: The central idea is that the world may end either by fire (symbolising desire and greed) or by ice (symbolising hatred and cold indifference); the poet leans toward fire as the more likely cause of destruction.

Q4: What is the contradictory opinion of the public?
Ans: The contradictory opinion is whether the world will end in fire or in ice.

Q5: How are ice and fire similar to each other though they have contradictory traits?

Ans: Both fire and ice are similar because each can bring total destruction; though their natures differ, their result - the end of things - is the same.

Q6: Why does the poet hold with those who favour fire?
Ans: The poet supports fire because he perceives unchecked desire and greed as forces that are growing quickly and are likely to cause destruction. 

Q7: Why do some people say that the world will end in ice?
Ans: Some people believe the world will end in ice because growing hatred, coldness and indifference among people can destroy relationships and society, leading to ruin. 

Q8: What message does the poet wish to convey through the poem ‘Fire and ‘Ice’?
Ans: The poet conveys that human emotions - especially unchecked desire and growing hatred - are powerful enough to destroy the world; he presents both possibilities and leans towards desire (fire) as the more likely cause of destruction.

Q9: Create a tagline/slogan/catchphrase for the poem.
Ans: 
(i) "Two paths to destruction: fire or ice - which will decide our fate?"  
OR
(ii) "Desire and hatred: the quiet war that can end the world."

Q10: Do you think the poet’s opinions are reasonable in the poem?
Ans: Yes. The poet’s opinions are reasonable because he uses simple but strong images to show how human emotions like desire and hatred can lead to destruction, which is a believable moral observation about human behaviour.