Class 10 English Chapter 1 Question Answers - First Flight

Q1: How can you identify the Asian Lion?

Ans: The poet in a humorous way, says that if a person goes to the jungles in the east and a large and brownish wild animal roars while killing him, the dying person can know that it is the Asian Lion.

Q2: “Humour is the perfect medicine for all diseases”. Discuss this statement by taking examples from the poem “How to Tell Wild Animals”. 

Ans: The poet talks about wild animals in a funny manner. All the dangerous, wild animals like lions, tigers, leopards, bears, hyenas, crocodile, chameleon have been portrayed humorously. The poet describes their dangerous activities in such a manner that they produce laughter.

Q3: Name the different animals and birds found in the jungles of the east.

Ans: Bengal Tiger, Leopard, Bear, Hyena, Crocodiles and Chameleons.

Q4: What is the famous saying associated with crocodiles and what does it mean?

Ans: The famous saying associated with crocodiles is that of ‘shedding crocodile tears’. It actually means tears or expressions of sorrow that are insincere, and are said to be so named from a belief that crocodiles wept while devouring their prey.

Q5: Peppered spots, tawny beast and noble wild beasts live in the jungles along with some others. Name them.

Ans: The leopard, the lion and the Bengal Tiger live along with the bear, hyenas, crocodiles and chameleons.

Q6: What is the theme of the poem — ‘How to Tell Wild Animals’?

Ans: The theme of the poem is to create humour. The poet creates humour by suggesting dangerous ways of identifying wild animals. You can identify most of the beasts while they are attacking you. Instead of shouting for help or trying to protect yourself, you are busy identifying the attacker—the idea creates humour.

Q7: How does the Bengal Tiger look? What is so distinct about a hint?

Ans: The poet says that the Bengal Tiger roams in the forest and look noble. His skin is yellow and there are black stripes on it. As soon as the Bengal Tiger notices someone he tries to eat him.

Q8: How does the poet describe the bear?

Ans: The poet suggests that the bear can enter a human colony also. That is why you can encounter a bear even in your yard. As soon as the bear comes near a human being, he embraces him. This embrace appears loving. But in fact, it can be fatal.

Q9: Why does the poet say that a bear’s ‘hug’ may confuse a novice?

Ans: It is the tendency of a bear to kill his victim by embracing him. He hugs the victim so tight that he usually dies. But a novice who does not know the ways of bears may misunderstand his hug. He may think that it is a loving embrace.

Q10: What does the poet say about the crocodile and the hyena?

Ans: The poet describes the crocodile and the hyena humorously. The hyena seems to be laughing. In fact, it does not laugh. Only its face appears so. On the other hand, the crocodile has tears in his eyes when It eats its victim. it appears as if he is shedding tears at the death of his victim. But this is not so.

Q11: How can one recognise the leopard?

Ans: The leopard is very agile and is always ready to pounce upon its prey. His hide is spotted all over with dark spots. If he sees you, he will pounce upon you. There will be no use of crying with pain. He will show no mercy and jump at you once again.

Q12: Can a novice distinguish among wild animals? How can hyenas be distinguished from crocodiles?

Ans:  It is very difficult for a novice to distinguish among wild animals. He can be easily confused. But it is very easy to distinguish between crocodiles and hyenas. Hyenas come with merry smiles. Crocodiles can be recognised by the tears in their eyes.

Q13: How will you recognise a chameleon?

Ans: A chameleon is a small creature. It looks like a lizard in appearance. It is strange that he doesn’t have any ears. Nor does he have a single wing. If you see such a creature sitting on a Tree, be sure he is a chameleon.

Q14: What humorous descriptions do you find in the poem?

Ans: We find some humorous descriptions about the animals in the poem. The poet has created it by the selection of words and his pattern of explaining. As the Bengal tiger is described noble, the bear hugs and the hyena smiles.

Q15: Does ‘dyin’ really rhyme with ‘lion’? Can you say it in such a way that it does?

Ans: No ‘dying does not rhyme with ‘lion’. It is for this reason that the poet has used ‘dyin’ so that when we pronounce it, it rhymes with ‘lion’.