Class 10 All Poems Extract Competency Based Questions & MCQs

Class 10 All Poems Extract Competency Based Questions & MCQs given here would help a great way in assessing their preparation and thus revising for the CBSE Clas 10 Board Exams 2024-25. The post is paid and thus password protected. Contact us for Password.

Class 10 English Poetry: Extract based Questions

1. Read the extract given below ad answer the questions that follow.

The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree

Has given my heart
A change of mood
And saved some part
Of a day I had rued

Questions:

i. Complete the sentence appropriately.

The poet was out on the cold snowy day when the dust of snow fell on him and _____.

ii. What is ‘dust of snow’?

iii. The crow and hemlock are usually used as negative references in literature. How is this different in this

poem?

iv. How does the use of ‘a crow’ and ‘a hemlock tree’ impact this extract?

(a) It forces the beauty of nature        (b) Represents prosperity

(c) Sets a gloomy atmosphere             (d) Tells about happy times

Answers:

i. The poet was out on the cold snowy day when the dust of snow fell on him and lifted his spirits/changed his mood or perspective/brought him joy.

ii. What is ‘dust of snow’?

“Dust of snow” refers to a light powdery sprinkling of snowflakes, likely dislodged by the crow shaking its feathers on the hemlock branch. It’s not a heavy snowfall, but rather a delicate dusting.

iii. Negative vs. positive references:

While crows and hemlocks can sometimes carry negative connotations in literature (e.g., crows symbolizing death or bad omens, hemlocks symbolizing sorrow or darkness), here they are used in a positive light. The crow’s action of shaking down the snow sparks a positive change in the poet’s mood, and the hemlock tree provides the source of the snow that brings him joy.

• The crow: Instead of representing doom, the crow acts as an unexpected agent of change, shaking down the snow and triggering a positive shift in the poet’s mood.
• The hemlock tree: While still associated with winter and darkness, the hemlock becomes a source of the “dust of snow,” which ultimately brings joy to the speaker.

iv. The use of “a crow” and “a hemlock tree” impacts the extract by:

Correct option is (a) It forces the beauty of nature.

The poem subverts our expectations by finding joy in traditionally negative elements. The crow’s action and the hemlock’s snow become symbols of hope and transformation.

(b) Represents prosperity is incorrect. The poem doesn’t explicitly suggest material wealth or abundance.

(c) Sets a gloomy atmosphere is incorrect. While the poem starts with a sense of regret, the snow brings a positive change.

(d) Tells about happy times is partially true, but the poem focuses on the transformation from a negative mood to a more positive one.

2. Read the extract given below ad answer the questions that follow.

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.

But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.

Questions:

i. How can ‘Ice’ bring an end to the world? Answer in about 40 words.

ii. What figure of speech is used in the first line of the extract?

iii. _____ can correctly replace the underlined phrase in the give line from the extract?

I hold with those who favour fire.

iv. 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.

Answers:

i. How can ‘Ice’ bring an end to the world? Answer in about 40 words.

Ice can bring an end to the world through its symbolic association with hatred, indifference, and coldness. These emotions can lead to societal breakdown, conflict, and ultimately, destruction. Imagine a world frozen by hate, where empathy and cooperation vanish, resulting in societal collapse, resource wars, or even nuclear winter.

ii. What figure of speech is used in the first line of the extract?

The first line, “Some say the world will end in fire, Some say in ice,” uses antithesis & alliteration. Antithesis figure of speech contrasts two opposing ideas (“fire” and “ice”) to create emphasis and highlight the uncertainty about the world’s end. Alliteration is used with ‘s’ in ‘some say’

iii. _____ can correctly replace the underlined phrase in the given line from the extract? “I hold with those who favour fire.”

The correct replacement is “agree with” or “side with.” These options accurately convey the speaker’s preference for fire as the destructive force, echoing the sentiment expressed in the previous line.

iv. Pick the option that is NOT TRUE about the poet according to the extract.

Answer is (c).

The poet is NOT preaching love and kindness. While the extract mentions preferring fire over ice, it doesn’t advocate for love or kindness as a means to prevent either. The poet is simply expressing his personal opinion on the potential causes of the world’s end. Therefore, the answer is (c)

3. Read the extract given below ad answer the questions that follow.

Ink trickled down to the bottom of the household
A little mouse Blink strategically mouseholed.
But up jumped Custard, snorting like an engine,
Clashed his tail like irons in a dungeon,
With a clatter and a clank and a jangling squirm,
QHe went at the pirate like a robin at a worm.

Questions:

i. Fill in the blank with suitable words on the basis of your understanding of the given lines.

Belinda paled and cried for help because she was _____ with _____.

ii. What is the significance of the use of the words: fled, trickled down and mouseholed to describe the

reactions of Belinda’s pets and how does this word choice contribute to the overall situation in the

poem? Answer in about 40 words.

iii. The words, ‘But up jumped Custard, snorting like an engine’ show that _____.

(a) Custard was angry and ready to fight Ink and Blink.

(b) Custard was ready to move energetically.

(c) Custard was ready to attack the pirate.

(d) Custard was clearing his throat.

iv. Comment on the poet’s use of language in these lines.

Answers:

i. Belinda paled and cried for help because she was terrified/scared of the pirate i.e filled with fear.

ii. The words “fled,” “trickled down,” and “mouseholed” all depict cowardice and retreat in the face of danger. This emphasizes the contrast between the initial confident portrayal of the pets and their actual response, adding humour and highlighting Custard’s unexpected bravery.

iii. (c) Custard was ready to attack the pirate. (The imagery of “snorting like an engine” and “clashed his tail like irons in a dungeon” suggests power and determination, indicating Custard’s shift from cowardice to action.)

iv. The poet uses vivid imagery, playful language, and rhyme to create a humorous and engaging narrative. The poem combines descriptions like “realio, trulio” and sound effects like “Meowch!” to bring the characters and situations to life. This playful language makes the poem enjoyable for children while also conveying the themes of bravery and overcoming fear.

4. Read the extract given below ad answer the questions that follow.

I heard an old religious man
But yesternight declare
That he had found a text to prove
That only God, my dear,
Could love you for yourself alone
And not your yellow hair.

Questions:

i. The above stanza strongly defies the idea of ______.
(a) internal qualities (b) external beauty
(c) spiritual self (d) divinity

ii. What does the poet mean by the word ‘yesternight’, in the extract?

iii. What wisdom was imparted to the poet and by whom it was imparted? Answer in about 40 words.

iv. Where did the religious man find that God loves everyone selflessly?

Answers:

i. The above stanza strongly defies the idea of:
(b) external beauty

ii. What does the poet mean by the word ‘yesternight’, in the extract?
“Yesternight” is a archaic (old) poetic way of saying “last night”. It adds a touch of formality and antiquity to the verse.

iii. What wisdom was imparted to the poet and by whom it was imparted? Answer in about 40 words.
The poet learned from an “old religious man” that only God can love unconditionally and appreciate someone solely for their inner qualities, not their physical appearance. This wisdom emphasizes the limitations of human love, often influenced by external beauty. Humans tend to be drawn to physical appearance, while only God can see beyond the surface and appreciate the inner worth of a person.

iv. Where did the religious man find that God loves everyone selflessly?
The answer is some religious text: But poem doesn’t explicitly specify where the religious man found this belief. It could be a reference to a religious text, personal revelation, or a general understanding of divine love. The focus is on the message itself, not its source.

5. Read the extract given below ad answer the questions that follow.

If ever you should go by chance
To jungles in the East;
And if there should to you advance
A large and tawny beast,
If he roars at you as you’re dyin’
You’ll know it is the Asian Lion ….

Questions:

i. Fill in the blank with ONE word only.
A person’s heart begins to beat when the lion roars because he is _.
ii. What does the poet mean by ‘Jungles in the East’?
(a) Forests in East direction (b) Forests of India
(c) Forests in Asian countries (d) Forest in the East of London
iii. What does the poet say about the Asian Lion in this extract? Answer in about 40 words.
iv. Which genre is most appropriate for the poem?

Answers:

i. Fill in the blank with ONE word only.
A person’s heart begins to beat when the lion roars because he is _____ .
Ans. frightened/scared
ii. What does the poet mean by ‘Jungles in the East’?
Ans. (c) Forests in Asian countries
The poet is likely referring to the natural habitat of the Asian lion, which is found in India and other parts of Asia.
iii. What does the poet say about the Asian Lion in this extract? Answer in about 40 words.
Ans. The poet says that the Asian lion is a large and tawny beast that roars. If you are in the East (presumably India or another Asian country) and encounter a large, tawny beast that roars, it is likely an Asian lion.
iv. Which genre is most appropriate for the poem?
Ans. The poem is a light hearted and humorous poem. It is not meant to be a serious guide to identifying wild animals, and so the most appropriate genre is light verse.

6. Read the extract given below ad answer the questions that follow.

The fog comes on little cat feet.
It sits looking over harbour and city
on silent haunches and then moves on.

Questions:

i. Highlight any two characteristics of fog from its description in the poem.

ii. How does the poet compare fog to a cat? Answer in about 40 words.

iii. Why do you think fog is a free verse poem?
(a) It has only six lines. (b) It has no regular rhyme scheme.
(c) It is divided in two paragraphs. (d) Both (a) and (b)

iv. Comment, in detail, on the significance of the closing phrase of the poem- ‘moves on’.

Answers:

i. Two characteristics of fog from its description in the poem:

1. Silent: The fog is described as coming on “little cat feet” and sitting on “silent haunches,” suggesting that it moves and rests quietly, without making any sound.
2. Observant: The fog is personified as sitting and “looking over harbour and city,” implying that it is present and aware of its surroundings.

ii. How the poet compares fog to a cat:

The poet uses several metaphors to compare fog to a cat:

• Movement: The fog’s arrival is compared to the quiet, stealthy movement of a cat’s paws.
• Resting: The fog is described as sitting on “silent haunches,” which evokes the image of a cat perched on its hind legs.
• Observation: The fog is personified as looking over the city, similar to how a cat might curiously observe its surroundings.

iii. Why “Fog” is a free verse poem:

(d) Both (a) and (b): It has no regular rhyme scheme: The poem does not follow any specific pattern of rhyming words. The poem is short, with only six lines, and it also lacks a regular rhyme scheme. These features are characteristic of free verse poetry.

iv. Significance of the closing phrase “moves on”:

The closing phrase “moves on” has several layers of significance:

• Literally describes the fog’s impermanence: Fog is a weather phenomenon that comes and goes, and the phrase emphasizes this impermanence.
• Suggests a sense of mystery: The fog’s arrival and departure are shrouded in mystery, as it silently appears and disappears.
• Evokes a feeling of transience: The poem is short and impressionistic, and the ending reinforces the idea that nothing lasts forever.
• Leaves the reader with a sense of wonder: The poem doesn’t provide any explanation for the fog’s presence or its destination, leaving the reader to ponder its meaning.

7. Read the extract given below ad answer the questions that follow.

He should be lurking in shadow,
Sliding through long grass
Near the water hole
Where plump deer pass.

Questions:

i. According to the extract, the poet wishes for the tiger to be ‘sliding’ through the foliage as this would

• (a) assist in keeping the prey unsuspecting of the predator’s sound.
• (b) aid in camouflaging the presence of the predator before it rushes in.
• (c) help the predator pounce on the prey comfortably without getting tired.
• (d) support the predator’s vision as it eyes its prey.

ii. Fill in the blanks with appropriate word/words.

‘Shadow’ here, refers to the shadow of _____

iii. What is the poet trying to convey in the given extract? Answer in about 40 words.

iv. Which word in the extract means the same as ‘fat’?

Answers:

i.  (b) – According to the extract, the poet wishes for the tiger to be ‘sliding’ through the foliage as this would aid in camouflaging the presence of the predator before it rushes in. (b) is the most fitting answer.

ii. ‘Shadow’ here, refers to the shadow of the tiger.

iii.  Short Ans. – The poet is expressing a desire for the tiger to be in its natural habitat, hunting freely instead of being confined in a zoo.

Long Ans. The poet is trying to convey a sense of longing for the tiger to be in its natural habitat, hunting freely. The tiger is currently confined in a zoo, which is not its natural environment. The poet is expressing a desire for the tiger to be able to live a more natural and fulfilling life.

iv. The word in the extract that means the same as ‘fat’ is plump.

8. Read the extract given below ad answer the questions that follow.

(There is a languid, emerald sea,
where the sole inhabitant is me—
a mermaid, drifting blissfully.)

Questions:

i. The colour of the sea is
(a) blue
(b) yellow
(c) red
(d) None of these

ii. Identify the poetic device used in the lines 2 and 3 of the extract.

iii. Why is the extract given in parenthesis?

iv. Why does Amanda want to be a mermaid? Answer in about 40 words.

Answers:

i. The colour of the sea is (d) None of these. – The poem describes the sea as “languid” and “emerald,” which suggests a green colour. However, it is not explicitly stated that the sea is blue, yellow, or red.

ii. Identify the poetic device used in the lines 2 and 3 of the extract.
Personification. The sea is described as “languid,” which is a human quality.
A simile. The line “a mermaid, drifting blissfully” compares the speaker to a mermaid.

iii. Why is the extract given in parenthesis?
The extract is given in parenthesis to set it apart from the main text, possibly to indicate that it is Amanda’s imagination or a dream.
Here are some possible reasons:
• To set the scene apart from the main narrative.
• To highlight the speaker’s imagination or daydream.
• To create a sense of mystery or intrigue.

iv. Why does Amanda want to be a mermaid?
The poem doesn’t explicitly say that Amanda wants to be a mermaid. It only describes her imagining herself as one. However, the extract describes a languid emerald sea with the speaker being the sole inhabitant, suggesting a desire for escape and freedom, which could be associated with the mythical figure of the mermaid.

9. Read the extract given below ad answer the questions that follow.

Now he senses first responsibility
In a world of possessions. People will take
Balls, balls will be lost always, little boy.
And no one buys a ball back. Money is external.

Questions:

i. Complete the sentence appropriately.
In the given lines, the phrase ‘money is external indicates that _____.

ii. The poet has used a poetic device in the given lines. What effect does she wish to create by its use?
Balls, balls will be lost always,
(a) emphasis (b) comparison
(c) rhyme (d) humour

iii. ‘He senses first responsibility’. What ‘responsibility’ is referred here?

iv. “Money is external”. What does the poet mean by this expression?

Answers:

i. In the given lines, the phrase ‘money is external’ indicates that money cannot replace personal loss or emotional attachments. Material possessions are not a true measure of value or happiness.

ii. Option (a): The poet has used a poetic device in the given lines. The effect she wishes to create by its use is (a) emphasis. The repetition of the word “balls” ( “Balls, balls will be lost always”) emphasizes the inevitability of loss.

iii. ‘He senses first responsibility’ refers to the boy’s realization that he must take care of his possessions and understand the consequences of losing them or that loss is a part of life.

iv. By the expression “Money is external”, the poet means that money is an external factor and it cannot compensate for the emotional value of personal belongings.
The poet means to convey that money is not an intrinsic part of the boy or his experience of loss. It is something external that can be gained or lost, but it does not define him or his worth.

10. Read the extract given below ad answer the questions that follow.

The fog comes
on little cat feet.
It sits looking
over harbour and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on.

Questions:

i. The fog arrives and departs _____ .
(a) by announcing its arrival (b) silently
(c) loudly (d) Both (a) and (c)

ii. Which image does the poet give to the fog? What are the similarities between that image and fog?
Answer in about 40 words.

iii. Identify the figure of speech is prominent in the poem ‘Fog’ _.

iv. What is fog doing?

Answers:

i. (b) silently.
The poem says that the fog “comes on little cat feet,” which suggests that it arrives quietly and stealthily, without making a sound. It also “moves on” without being noticed, further emphasizing its silent nature.

ii. The poet gives the image of a cat to the fog. The similarities between the cat and the fog are their silent, subtle movements and the way they both can observe their surroundings quietly and unobtrusively.

(More explanation} Fog, like a cat, can be:
Silent: Both fog and cats can move around quietly and without making much noise.
Soft and gentle: The image of “little cat feet” suggests that the fog is soft and gentle, just like a cat’s paws.
Mysterious and unpredictable: Both fog and cats can be mysterious and unpredictable in their movements.

iii. The prominent figure of speech in the poem ‘Fog’ is Metaphor.
The most prominent figure of speech in the poem is metaphor. The poet directly compares the fog to a cat, attributing human-like qualities to a non-human thing.

iv. The fog is observing the harbour and city silently and then moving on.

Detailed Ans. The poem describes the fog in the following actions:
Coming: The fog arrives silently, like a cat on little feet.
Sitting: The fog settles over the harbour and city, as if observing them from above.
Looking: The fog is personified as having the ability to look, further emphasizing its silent observation.
Moving on: The fog eventually departs, just as silently as it arrived.

11. Read the extract given below ad answer the questions that follow.

“Ink trickled down to the bottom of the household,
And little mouse Blink strategically mouseholed.
But up jumped Custard, snorting like an engine,
Clashed his tail like irons in a dungeon,
With a clatter and a clank and a jangling squirm,
He went at the pirate like a robin at a worm.”

Questions:

i. Fill in the blank with suitable words on the basis of your understanding of the given lines. 1

The outcome of the clash between Custard and the pirate was that _____.

ii. What is the significance of the use of the words – ‘trickled down’ and ‘mouseholed’ to describe the reactions of Belinda’s pets and how does this word choice contribute to the overall situation in the poem?

iii. Match the figures of speech with their correct definitions that have been used by the poet in the given extract.

iv. Comment on the poet’s use of language in these lines.

Answers:

i. The outcome of the clash between Custard and the pirate was that Custard gobbled up the pirate. (This can be inferred from the line “He went at the pirate like a robin at a worm” which implies quick and complete consumption.)

ii. The significance of the words used to describe the reactions:

• Trickled down: This phrase depicts a slow and cautious descent, suggesting Ink, the kitten, is fearful and trying to avoid confrontation.
• Mouseholed: This verb implies Blink, the mouse, is using a hidden passage or small opening to escape danger, highlighting its timidity.

These word choices contribute to the overall situation by:

• Adding humor: The contrast between a dragon and its small, scared companions creates a humorous effect.
• Enhancing the element of surprise: The cowardly behavior of the pets emphasizes the unexpected bravery Custard shows later.

iii. Matching figures of speech: (d) 4, 3, 2, 1

iv. Comment on the poet’s use of language:

Ogden Nash uses vivid language in these lines to create a humorous and dynamic scene. He employs:

• Similes: Comparing Custard’s attack to a robin eating a worm conveys speed and ease.
• Onomatopoeia: Words like “snorting,” “clatter,” and “jangling” create sound effects, making the action come alive.
• Rhyme: The lines rhyme (“engine” with “dungeon”), adding rhythm and memorability.
• Humor: The unexpected bravery of Custard and the descriptive words for the pets create a humorous tone.

We can say that the poet’s playful use of language engages the reader, making this excerpt a delightful part of the poem.

12. Read the extract given below ad answer the questions that follow.

What is the boy now, who has lost his ball,
What, what is he to do? I saw it go
Merrily bouncing, down the street, and then
Merrily over-there it is in the water!

Questions:

i. In what way does the language used in this poem challenge traditional ideas of what poetry should be?

ii. What is the significance of the use of no punctuation after the words ‘What is the boy now, who has lost
his ball,’ and the use of a dash in ‘Meetly over-there it is in the water!’ in the poem and how does this
contribute to the overall mood and tone of the poem? Answer in about 40 words.

iii. Complete the sentence with the appropriate option.
The poet seems to have indicated the merry bouncing of the ball to ___.
(a) create a sense of rhythm in these lines.
(b) support the happiness of the experience of playing.
(c) contrast with the dejected feeling of the boy.
(d) indicate the cheerful mood of the boy.

iv. Identify the use and purpose of repetitive sounds used in the given lines of the poem.

Answers:

i. How does the language used in this poem challenge traditional ideas of what poetry should be?

The poem uses simple, direct language and lacks traditional poetic devices like rhyme or meter. This challenges the idea that poetry should be formal or elevated.

Long answer: The language used in this poem is simple and direct, using everyday speech and avoiding overly flowery or figurative language. This challenges the traditional idea that poetry should be elevated and formal. For example, the line “What is the boy now, who has lost his ball” is a direct question, without any metaphors or other figures of speech.

ii. Significance of punctuation and its contribution to mood and tone.

The lack of punctuation after “What is the boy now” creates a sense of urgency and reflects the boy’s shock and confusion. The dash after “Merrily over” emphasizes the suddenness of the ball’s disappearance and adds a sense of drama. These choices contribute to a melancholic and reflective tone.

iii. (c) contrast with the dejected feeling of the boy.

The merry bouncing of the ball is a stark contrast to the boy’s dejected feeling after losing it. This contrast highlights the realisation of the loss and emphasizes the boy’s innocence and carefree nature before the loss.

iv. Purpose of repetitive sounds (alliteration)

The repetition of “merrily” emphasizes the carefree nature of the ball’s movement, creating a contrast with the boy’s loss. This reinforces the poem’s central theme of loss and the impermanence of joy.

Other sound devices (assonance)

The poem uses assonance with the long “o” sound in “boy,” “go,” “over,” “so,” and “lost,” creating a sense of unity and flow.