Class 10 English Chapter 1 Practice Question Answers - First Flight

Q1. Identify the most likely tone of the poet in the lines:
‘To say that for destruction ice/Is also great’
(a) sarcastic
(b) serious
(c) amused
(d) celebratory
Ans: (a)
The poet's most likely tone in these lines is sarcastic. By saying "To say that for destruction ice/Is also great," the poet seems to be mocking those who believe that the world will end in ice. The use of the word "great" in this context suggests irony because ice is typically associated with coldness and stillness, not destruction. The poet might be implying that the idea of ice being destructive is absurd, and the actual destructive force lies elsewhere.

Q2. Select the option that correctly classifies the connotations of fire and ice, as suggested in the poem.
(I) rage
(II) violence
(III) indifference
(IV) hate
(V) greed
(a) Fire – III, IV; Ice – I, II, V
(b) Fire – II, V; Ice -I, III, IV
(c) Fire -I,III, V; Ice – II, IV
(d) Fire – I, II, V; Ice – III, IV
Ans: (d)
The poem suggests that fire is associated with destructive qualities like rage, violence, and greed. These connotations arise from fire's ability to burn, consume, and cause chaos. On the other hand, ice is connected to traits like indifference and hate. Ice's cold and unyielding nature can represent emotional coldness and the freezing of feelings, leading to hate and apathy.

Q3. 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 likelihood.
(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.
Ans: (c)
The poem does not explicitly mention the poet preaching love and kindness. Instead, it presents two opposing views on how the world will end, and the poet reveals their personal preference for fire. There is no mention of advocating love and kindness as a remedy for hate.

Q4.  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 mankind.
(d) Fire and ice are agents – they change the thinking of mankind from negative to positive and bring harmony.
Ans: (b)
In the poem, "Fire" and "Ice" are symbolic representations of destructive human traits rather than being literal elements of nature. Fire symbolizes passion, desire, and indulgence in destructive behaviors, while Ice represents coldness, indifference, and hate that can also lead to destructive outcomes. The poem uses these symbols to explore the potential for human-caused disasters.

Q5. “Some say the world will end in fire”. Identify the poetic device.
(a) Alliteration
(b) Assonance
(c) Antithesis
(d) Anaphora
Ans: (a)
The poetic device in this line is alliteration. Alliteration is the repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of neighboring words. In the given line, the repetition of the "s" sound in "Some say" creates an alliterative effect, adding a musical quality to the line.

Q6. “Fire” is a metaphor for-
(a) desire
(b) dislike
(c) distaste
(d) revulsion
Ans: (a)
In the poem, "Fire" is used as a metaphor for desire. Just as fire burns intensely, desire can consume a person with intense passion and longing.

Q7. “I hold with those who favour fire” . Identify the poetic device.
Hint- It is a figure of speech that is characterised by the use of words having similar vowel sounds consecutively.
(a) Alliteration
(b) Assonance
(c) Antithesis
(d) Anaphora
Ans: (b)
The poetic device in this line is assonance. Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds within words. In this line, the repetition of the "o" sound in "hold," "those," "who," and "favour" creates an assonant effect, adding a sense of harmony and musicality to the line.

Q8. Which option correctly replaces the underlined phrase in the given line from Fire and Ice?
I hold with those who favour fire.
(a) am as experienced as
(b) strongly disagree with
(c) have the same opinion as
(d) habitually avoid
Ans: (c)
The phrase "I hold with those who favour fire" means that the speaker shares the same opinion as those who prefer fire as the end of the world. The option (c) "have the same opinion as" accurately captures the meaning of the underlined phrase in the given line.

Q9. “Ice” is a metaphor for-
(a) hatred
(b) love
(c) esteem
(d) admiration
Ans: (a)
In the poem, "Ice" is used as a metaphor for hatred. Ice, being cold and unyielding, represents the emotional coldness and indifference that can lead to hate and destructive behavior.

Q10. The poem is a _________, put across by the poet.
(a) powerful warning
(b) heartfelt apology
(c) earnest appeal
(d) vengeful threat
Ans: (a)
The answer is (a) powerful warning. The poem "Fire and Ice" by Robert Frost serves as a powerful warning to humanity about the destructive potential of certain human traits and actions. Through the symbols of fire and ice, the poet cautions us about the consequences of uncontrolled desire (fire) and cold indifference (ice). The poem highlights the capacity of human emotions and actions to bring about catastrophic outcomes, such as destruction and the end of the world. It urges readers to reflect on their choices and actions, emphasizing the need for responsibility and restraint to avoid disastrous consequences.