How to Tell Wild Animals – Summary and Important Questions for Board exam ( CBSE ENGLISH CLASS 10)

How to Tell Wild Animals – Summary and Important Questions for Board exam ( CBSE ENGLISH CLASS 10)

 Summary

If you’re looking for a typical, serious biology lesson, this poem isn't it! Carolyn Wells takes us on a "tour" of the jungle, but with a hilarious and sarcastic twist. The poem basically says that if you want to know which wild animal is attacking you, you just have to look at the way it kills you.

She starts with the Asian Lion, a massive yellowish beast that roars so loudly you feel like you're dying. Then there’s the Bengal Tiger, whom she calls "noble," even though he’s busy eating you. She jokes that if you see black stripes on a yellow coat and get devoured, "simple rule" says it’s a Tiger.

The poem continues with the Leopard, covered in "peppered" spots, who won't stop leaping on you no matter how much you cry. She even turns a Bear's deadly grip into a "hard hug." For the trickier ones, she explains that Hyenas always look like they are smiling, while Crocodiles appear to be crying (the famous "crocodile tears"). Finally, she mentions the Chameleon, which is basically a lizard with no ears or wings; if the tree looks empty, it's just a chameleon hiding in plain sight.

The whole point is to use humor to teach us the physical traits of these animals, even if the "identification method" is a bit extreme!

A.  Short Answer Questions .

Q1. How does the poet describe the roar of the Asian Lion?

ANS: The poet says the roar is so terrifying that it makes the person feel like they are "dying." It’s the primary way to identify this "tawny" beast in the eastern jungles.

Q2. What is the "simple rule" to identify the Bengal Tiger?

ANS: The rule is quite funny: if a "noble" wild beast with black stripes on a yellow hide eats you, then you can be sure it is a Bengal Tiger.

Q3. How is the Leopard's skin described?

ANS: The leopard has a hide that looks "peppered." This refers to the dark spots scattered all over its body, looking like black pepper.

Q4. What will a Leopard do if you cry out in pain?

ANS: It won't help at all! The poet says the leopard will only "lep and lep" (leap) again. Crying won't stop it from pouncing.

Q5. Why does the poet call the Bear's attack a "hug"?

ANS: This is a play on the term "bear hug." In reality, a bear crushes its prey to death, but the poet humorously describes it as a very hard, friendly-sounding hug.

Q6. How can a novice tell a Hyena from a Crocodile?

ANS: It's all about their "expressions." Hyenas come with a merry smile, while Crocodiles always have tears in their eyes while they eat you.

Q7. What are the two things a Chameleon lacks?

ANS: According to the poem, a true chameleon has no ears at all and doesn't have a single wing.

Q8. Why is the tree "empty" if a chameleon is sitting on it?

ANS: This is because of the chameleon’s ability to camouflage. It changes its color to match the branch, making it invisible to the naked eye.

Q9. What is "Poetic License"?

ANS: It is the freedom a poet takes to change facts or spellings to fit a rhyme. For example, Wells uses "lept" instead of "leapt" to rhyme with "leopard."

Q10. What is the overall tone of this poem?

ANS: The tone is humorous, light-hearted, and sarcastic. It treats dangerous, life-threatening encounters with wild animals as a funny learning experience.

B.  Long Answer Questions (Value-Based)

Q1. Humor can be a great way to teach serious things. How does this apply to the poem?

ANS: Usually, wild animals are studied in a very dry, scientific way. However, Carolyn Wells uses "dark humor" to make the traits of these animals stick in our minds. By joking about being eaten by a tiger or hugged by a bear, she creates a vivid image that a student is unlikely to forget. The humor makes the lesson engaging rather than boring.

Q2. Describe the physical appearance of the Tiger and the Leopard as mentioned in the poem.

ANS: The Tiger is described as a "noble" animal with a yellow background and distinct black stripes. The Leopard, on the other hand, is described as having "peppered" spots. While the Tiger has a certain "regal" look, the Leopard is characterized by its agility and its habit of pouncing repeatedly on its prey.

Q3. "If there is nothing on the tree, 'Tis the chameleon you see." Explain this line.

ANS: This line highlights the chameleon's most famous trait: camouflage. Because the chameleon changes its skin color to match its surroundings, it becomes invisible to predators and prey alike. The poet wittily suggests that if you look at a tree and see absolutely nothing, you are actually looking at a chameleon that has hidden itself perfectly.

Q4. How does the poet use language to create a sense of fun in the poem?

ANS: The poet uses several tricks. First, she uses a bouncy rhyme scheme. Second, she uses "Poetic License" to play with spellings like "lep" and "lept." Third, she uses irony—describing a deadly bear attack as a "hug" or a tiger's meal as a "simple rule." These language choices keep the mood light even though the subject (dangerous animals) is quite scary.

Q5. What is the message behind the poem "How to Tell Wild Animals"?

ANS: On the surface, it’s just a funny poem. But deeper down, it teaches us to appreciate the unique characteristics of nature’s creatures. Each animal has a specific "personality"—the lion is loud, the tiger is noble, the hyena is deceptive, and the bear is strong. It encourages us to observe the world around us, albeit with a bit of a laugh.

C.  Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Q1. The Asian Lion is found in the jungles of the:

A) West B) North C) East D) South

ANS: C) East

Q2. What color is the Asian Lion described as?

A) Yellow B) Tawny C) Black D) Orange

ANS: B) Tawny

Q3. Which animal has black stripes on a yellow ground?

A) Leopard B) Zebra C) Bengal Tiger D) Hyena

ANS: C) Bengal Tiger

Q4. The word "lept" is used for which animal?

A) Lion B) Bear C) Leopard D) Chameleon

ANS: C) Leopard

Q5. If a creature hugs you very hard, it is a:

A) Crocodile B) Bear C) Hyena D) Tiger

ANS: B) Bear

Q6. Crocodiles are known for their:

A) Smiles B) Roars C) Tears D) Hugs

ANS: C) Tears

Q7. Which animal does not have ears or wings?

A) Hyena B) Chameleon C) Leopard D) Lion

ANS: B) Chameleon

Q8. The poet of this poem is:

A) Robert Frost B) Carolyn Wells C) Leslie Norris D) Walt Whitman

ANS: B) Carolyn Wells

Q9. A Hyena is famous for its:

A) Weeping B) Leaping C) Smiling D) Roaring

ANS: C) Smiling

Q10. What does "tawny" mean?

A) Bright Red B) Brownish-Yellow C) Jet Black D) Pale Green

ANS: B) Brownish-Yellow

As a Teacher my Comment:

This poem is a fantastic example of how poets use 'Irony' to keep the reader interested. When you're writing your answers in the board exam, make sure to mention the term 'Poetic License' when discussing the leopard stanza—it’s a favorite of the examiners! Also, don't just list the animals; try to explain the contrast the poet creates (like the smiling hyena vs. the weeping crocodile). This shows the examiner you’ve understood the deeper humor, not just the literal meaning."