A Tiger in the Zoo AP 10th Class English First Flight 2nd Poem Questions and Answers
Thinking about the Poem
Question 1.
Read the poem again, and work in pairs or groups to do the following tasks?
- Find the words that describe the movements and actions of the tiger in the cage and in the wild. Arrange them in two columns
- Find the words that describe the two places, and arrange them in two columns. Now try to share ideas about how the poet uses words and images to contrast the two situations
Answer:
Question 2.
Notice the use of a word repeated in lines such as these?
- On pads of velvet quiet, In this quiet rage
- And stares with his brilliant eyes
- At the brilliant stars
What do you think is the effect of this repetition
Answer:
Yes, the poet employs repetition with a powerful effect. The words repeated are: quiet (lines 3 & 4 ) and brilliant (last two lines). And the words are associated with different expressions. This contrast enhances the effect of contrast between the tiger in the zoo and the tiger in the wilderness
Question 3.
Read the following two poems - one about a tiger and the other about a panther. Then discuss:
Are zoos necessary for the protection or conservation of some species of animals? Are they useful for educating the public? Are there alternatives to zoos ?
Answer:
Zoos primarily deprive animals of their basic freedom. But zoos help them in many ways as the tiger thinks. They are protected, they are fed, they are entertained, their health is taken care of etc. Certain endangered species survive only in zoos. Conservation parks are the best alternatives to zoos
Question 4.
Take a point of view for or against zoos, or even consider both points of view and write a couple of paragraphs or speak about this topic for a couple of minutes in class. OR Write the appropriate response comprising of at least two reasons to present a counter to the following ?
Answer:
Much might be said on both sides - goes the adage. Yes, zoos have certain advantages. Animals are protected from both hunters and predators. They are fed at regular intervals. Their health is taken proper care of. They are preserved and saved from extinction. While the advantages of zoos are many, the most sought-after basic freedom is lost. This singlé disadvantage outweighs all other positive qualities. No animal lover supports the concept of zoos
Additional Questions :
I. Read the following stanza
He stalks in his vivid stripes
The few steps of his cage,
On pads of velvet quiet,
In his quiet rage
Question 1.
What is the primary mood conveyed in the stanza?
- Joyful
- Tranquil
- Chaotic
Answer:
Tranquil
Question 2.
What is the predominant imagery used to describe the subject?
- Bright colours
- Sharp claws
- Velvet pads
Answer:
Velvet pads
Question 3.
What emotion does the phrase "quiet rage" evoke?
- Contentment
- Excitement
- Anger
Answer:
Anger
Question 4.
What is the pacing of the tigers movement as described in the stanza?
- Quick and hurried
- Slow and deliberate
- Erratic and unpredictable
Answer:
Slow and deliberate
Question 5.
What does the phrase "vivid stripes" suggest about the tiger?
- Its camouflage
- Its age
- Its vitality
Answer:
Its vitality
Question 6.
What does the pepetition of "quiet" emphasize in the stanza?
- The tigers solitude
- The tigers stealth
- The tigers ferocity
Answer:
The tigers solitude
II. Read the following stanza
He should be lurking in shadow,
Sliding through long grass
Near the water hole
Where plump deer pass
Question 1.
What habitat is described in the stanza?
- Desert
- Savannah
- Forest
Answer:
Savannah
Question 2.
What is the suggested behaviour of the subject in the stanza?
- Sleeping
- Hunting
- Sunbathing
Answer:
Hunting
Question 3.
What is the significance of the "water hole" in the stanza?
- Its a place of rest
- Its a source of danger
- Its a gathering spot for animals
Answer:
Its a gathering spot for animals
Question 4.
What does the phrase "lurking in shadow" suggest about the subject?
- Its desire for sunlight
- Its fear of predators
- Its hunting strategy
Answer:
Its hunting strategy
Question 5.
What does the term "long grass" imply about the environment?
- Dense vegetation
- Arid conditions
- Rocky terrain
Answer:
Dense vegetation
Question 6.
What emotion is evoked by the phrase "plump deer pass"?
- Fear
- Hunger
- Excitement
Answer:Hunger
III Read the following stanza
He should be snarling around houses
At the jungles edge,
Baring his white fangs, his claws,
Terrorising the village
Question 1.
What is the primary emotion conveyed in the stanza?
- Joy
- Anger
- Fear
Answer:
Fear
Question 2.
Where is the tiger described as being in the stanza?
- Deep in the jungle
- Roaming the savannah
- Around houses
Answer:
Around houses
Question 3.
What is the tigers behaviour in the stanza?
- Sleeping
- Hunting
- Terrorizing
Answer:
Terrorizing
Question 4.
What does the phrase jungles edge suggest about the tigers proximity to human habitation?
- It is far from human activity
- It is within reach of human settlements
- It is deep within the wilderness
Answer:
It is within reach of human settlements
Question 5.
What effect do the terms snarling and terrorising the village have on the tone of the stanza?
- Calmness
- Hostility
- Tranquility
Answer:
Hostility
Question 6.
What do the phrases baring his white fangs, his claws emphasize about the tiger?
- Its vulnerability
- Its beauty
- Its ferocity
Answer:
Its ferocity
IV. Read the following stanza
But hes locked in a concrete cell,
His strength behind bars,
Stalking the length of his cage,
Ignoring visitors
Question 1.
What is the tigers current condition as described in the stanza?
- Free in the wild
- Captive in a concrete cell
- Roaming in a sanctuary
Answer:
Captive in a concrete cell
Question 2.
How is the tigers demeanour characterized in the stanza?
- Friendly
- Aggressive
- Indifferent
Answer:
Indifferent
Question 3.
What is the primary image used to describe the tigers situation?
- Concrete walls
- Length of the cage
- Strength behind bars
Answer:
Strength behind bars
Question 4.
What is the implied contrast between the tigers natural habitat and its current environment?
- Freedom and captivity
- Solitude and companionship
- Darkness and light
Answer:
Freedom and captivity
Question 5.
What is the significance of the phrase "Ignoring visitors"?
- The tiger is shy
- The tiger is afraid
- The tiger is uninterested
Answer:
The tiger is uninterested
Question 6.
What emotion does the stanza evoke regarding the tigers situation?
- Sadness
- Anger
- Joy
Answer:
Sadness
V. Read the following stanza
He hears the last voice at night,
The patrolling cars,
And stares with his brilliant eyes
At the brilliant stars
Question 1.
What time of day is suggested by the stanza?
- Morning
- Afternoon
- Evening
Answer:
Evening
Question 2.
What activity is mentioned in the stanza?
- Hunting
- Sleeping
- Patrolling
Answer:
Patrolling
Question 3.
What does the phrase brilliant eyes suggest about the tiger?
- ts blindness
- Its intelligence
- Its fierceness
Answer:
Its intelligence
Question 4.
What is the tigers reaction to the patrolling cars according to the stanza?
- Fear
- Indifference
- Alertness
Answer:
Alertness
Question 5.
What does the tigers action of staring at the brilliant stars imply about its behaviour?
- It is contemplating
- It is resting
- It is hunting
Answer:
It is contemplating
Question 6.
What contrast is highlighted in the stanza?
- Noise and silence
- Darkness and light
- Aggression and passivity
Answer:
Darkness and light
A Tiger in the Zoo Poem Summary in English
The poem A Tiger in the Zoo, by Leslie Norris, is a very interesting composition. It contrasts the tiger in the zoo with the tiger in the forest. That way the poet provokes readers to think about the good or bad of zoos. The first, the fourth and the last stanzas depict the restricted movements of the big cat in a limited space
And the second and the third stanzas picture the free movements of the tiger in the wilderness. And the reader is left to draw his own conclusions. The stripes on the tiger are bright. He walks slowly in that small cage. His steps make no noise as his paws are as soft as velvet. He is angry at his confinement. Yet he controls his anger and stays silent
If he were in the wilderness, he would move freely through long grass. He would move to the water hole where he would hunt his prey, the deer. Or else he would go to a village at the edge of the jungle and frighten animals and humans there
But he is behind the strong bars of his cell. His strength is not of much help. He shows least interest in the visitors. The noise of the passing cars disturbs his peace at night. He looks at the brilliant stars with his brilliant eyes
Glossary :
stalks (v-pre-tense) : walks slowly and silently;
vivid (adj) : bright, colourful;
stripes (n-pl) : long lines;
quiet (adj) :
with little or no sound;
rage (n) : violent anger;
lurking (v+ing) : hanging out; waiting around;
sliding (v+ing) : moving on smoothly;
plump (adj) : fatty; chubby;
snarling (v+ing) : moving in a zig-zag way
baring (v+ing) : exposing; revealing;
fangs (n-pl) : long pointed teeth;
claws (n-pl) : curved and pointed nails;
concrete (adj) : strong;
ignoring (v+ing) : failing to notice;
patrolling (v+ing-adj) : going rounds;
stares (v-pre.t) : look fixedly;