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Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 2 Previous Year Questions - Fire and Ice

Previous Year Questions 2025

Q1: Read the following extract and answer the questions:
"Some say the world will end in fire
Some say in ice.
From what I've tasted of desire
I hold with those who favour fire."
(i) The speaker offers evidence to support his preference for one theory over the other. Mention the evidence.  (1 Mark)

Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 2 Previous Year Questions - Fire and IceView Answer  Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 2 Previous Year Questions - Fire and Ice

Ans: The poet’s evidence is based on his own experience with desire. He has “tasted” its burning and destructive power and therefore agrees with those who believe the world will end in fire.

(ii) What is the prediction of the poet about how the world will come to an end? Answer in about 40 words.  (2 Marks)

Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 2 Previous Year Questions - Fire and IceView Answer  Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 2 Previous Year Questions - Fire and Ice

Ans: The poet predicts that the world will end either in fire or in ice. Fire symbolizes human desires like greed and passion, while ice symbolizes hatred and indifference. He believes both emotions are powerful enough to destroy the world if they grow uncontrolled.

(iii) "Fire" and "Ice" are used in the poem as  (1 Mark)
(a) similes
(b) metaphors
(c) repetition
(d) oxymorons

Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 2 Previous Year Questions - Fire and IceView Answer  Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 2 Previous Year Questions - Fire and Ice

Ans: (B) metaphors
Both “fire” and “ice” are metaphors for human emotions — desire and hatred respectively.

(iv) Comment on the overall mood of the extract.  (1 Mark)

Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 2 Previous Year Questions - Fire and IceView Answer  Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 2 Previous Year Questions - Fire and Ice

Ans: The overall mood of the extract is reflective and cautionary. The poet thoughtfully considers how intense human emotions, like desire and hatred, can lead to destruction.


Q2: Robert Frost’s view of nature changes when he talks about it positively in Dust of Snow, but negatively in Fire and Ice. Justify the statement. (Answer in about 100-120 words)  (6 Marks)

Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 2 Previous Year Questions - Fire and IceView Answer  Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 2 Previous Year Questions - Fire and Ice

Ans: In “Dust of Snow,” Robert Frost presents nature as a positive and healing force. The simple act of a crow shaking snow on the poet changes his mood and saves the rest of his day. Nature, here, brings hope, joy, and transformation.

In contrast, in “Fire and Ice,” Frost uses elements of nature—fire and ice—as symbols of human destruction. Fire represents uncontrolled desire and greed, while ice stands for hatred and indifference. Both are portrayed as capable of bringing an end to the world.

Thus, Frost’s view of nature shifts from being restorative and comforting in Dust of Snow to destructive and symbolic of human emotions in Fire and Ice. This shows his deep understanding of the dual nature of existence.

Previous Year Questions 2024

Q1:  How does the poet use 'fire' and 'ice' to convey the central idea of the poem?

Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 2 Previous Year Questions - Fire and IceView Answer  Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 2 Previous Year Questions - Fire and Ice

Ans: The poet uses 'fire' and 'ice' as metaphors to depict how uncontrolled desires and hatred can lead to the world's destruction.He suggests that both emotions have the potential to destroy the world.

Q2:  What is the message of the poem 'Fire and Ice'?

Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 2 Previous Year Questions - Fire and IceView Answer  Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 2 Previous Year Questions - Fire and Ice

Ans: The poem conveys that both unbridled passions ('fire') and cold indifference or hatred ('ice') have the potential to destroy the world, highlighting the destructive power of human emotions.

Previous Year Questions 2023

Q3: Discuss how extreme behaviors can hasten the end of the world with reference to 'Fire and Ice'.

Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 2 Previous Year Questions - Fire and IceView Answer  Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 2 Previous Year Questions - Fire and Ice

Ans: The poem illustrates that extreme emotions like desire and hatred can lead to catastrophic outcomes. 'Fire' represents burning desires that can consume and destroy, while 'ice' symbolizes cold hatred that can freeze and obliterate. Both extremes are detrimental and can lead to the world's end.

Q4: Analyze the use of symbolism in Robert Frost's 'Fire and Ice'.

Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 2 Previous Year Questions - Fire and IceView Answer  Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 2 Previous Year Questions - Fire and Ice

Ans: In the poem, Frost employs 'fire' and 'ice' as symbols to represent human emotions. 'Fire' stands for intense desires and passions, which can lead to conflicts and destruction. 'Ice' signifies hatred and indifference, capable of causing isolation and demise. Through these symbols, Frost emphasizes that both emotions, if unchecked, can have catastrophic consequences.

Previous Year Questions 2022

Q5: Explain why the poet personally holds the conviction that the world will primarily end in fire? (2022-23)

Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 2 Previous Year Questions - Fire and IceView Answer  Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 2 Previous Year Questions - Fire and Ice

Ans: According to the poet, humans’ never-ending desires and ever-increasing hatred would be enough to bring destruction to the world. In the poem, the fire represents desire. Like fire, desire spreads quickly and overpowers a person's sane thinking and whole life. The poet personally holds the conviction that the world will primarily end in fire as he was a victim of the fiery aspect of desire. He had experienced its destructive effects in life by his own confession (from what I’ve tasted ....)

Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 2 Previous Year Questions - Fire and Ice

Previous Year Questions 2021

Q6: Which word from the poem, Fire and Ice will complete the following?     (Term I, 2021-22)
Cruelty : Fire : : Insensitivity : ______
(a)
Ice
(b) Hate
(c) Desire
(d) Destruction

Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 2 Previous Year Questions - Fire and IceView Answer  Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 2 Previous Year Questions - Fire and Ice

Ans: (a)
In the poem, Fire symbolizes emotions such as desire and cruelty, while Ice represents insensitivity and hatred.

Q7: 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        (Term I, 2021-22)

Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 2 Previous Year Questions - Fire and IceView Answer  Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 2 Previous Year Questions - Fire and Ice

Ans: (c) have the same opinion as
The phrase "I hold with those" means "I have the same opinion as those" who believe in the destructive power of fire, making (c) the correct replacement.

Previous Year Questions 2020

Q8: The use of symbolism in the poem 'Fire and Ice’ conveys the poet’s message effectively. Expand with reference to the poem.    (2020-21)

Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 2 Previous Year Questions - Fire and IceView Answer  Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 2 Previous Year Questions - Fire and Ice

Ans:
In the poem, ice stands for hatred and emotional coldness. The poet believes that this indifference is powerful enough to bring destruction. Just like fire, ice can lead to the end of the world through emotional numbness and a lack of empathy.

Previous Year Questions 2014

Q9: To say that for destruction, ice is also great for the poet, what does ice stand for? How is it sufficient to bring destruction? (Answer the following questions in 40-50 words)     (CBSE 2014)

Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 2 Previous Year Questions - Fire and IceView Answer  Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 2 Previous Year Questions - Fire and Ice

Ans: The poem "Fire and Ice" explores the potential ways the world might come to an end, using powerful symbolism to convey its message. In the poem, fire symbolizes intense human desires such as lust, greed, and passion. On the other hand, ice represents coldness, hatred, and emotional indifference. The poet suggests that the world could meet its demise either through the destructive force of unchecked greed and desire (fire) or through the apathy and hatred that lead to emotional detachment (ice). By using these contrasting symbols, the poem effectively highlights how both extremes of human emotion have the potential to bring about destruction, whether through overwhelming intensity or complete emotional numbness.

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FAQs on Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 2 Previous Year Questions - Fire and Ice

1. What are the main themes explored in the poem "Fire and Ice"?
Ans. The main themes explored in the poem "Fire and Ice" include the destructive nature of human emotions, such as desire and hatred. The poet, Robert Frost, uses fire to symbolize desire and ice to represent hatred, suggesting that both can lead to destruction and ultimately the end of the world.
2. How does Robert Frost use symbolism in "Fire and Ice"?
Ans. In "Fire and Ice," Robert Frost uses fire and ice as symbols to represent powerful human emotions. Fire symbolizes desire and passion, while ice symbolizes hatred and indifference. These symbols highlight the poem's message about the potential for human emotions to bring about destruction.
3. What is the significance of the concluding lines of "Fire and Ice"?
Ans. The concluding lines of "Fire and Ice" emphasize the inevitability of destruction caused by human emotions. Frost suggests that whether through fiery desire or icy hatred, the end result will be the same. This serves as a powerful reflection on the consequences of unchecked emotions.
4. What literary devices are used in "Fire and Ice"?
Ans. "Fire and Ice" employs various literary devices, including metaphor, imagery, and alliteration. The metaphors of fire and ice illustrate the poem's themes, while vivid imagery evokes strong emotional responses. Alliteration enhances the rhythm and flow of the poem, making it more impactful.
5. How does "Fire and Ice" relate to contemporary issues?
Ans. "Fire and Ice" relates to contemporary issues by highlighting the timeless nature of human emotions and their potential for destruction. In today's world, issues like conflict driven by hatred or desire for power resonate with the poem's message, making it relevant to modern society and its struggles.
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