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Though to distinguish beasts… (Class 10 English 2023, Q7a)

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EnglishCBSE Class 10 · Board exam 2023, set 2/1/1 · 5 marks · Reading comprehension

CBSE Class 10 English 2023: question 7(a)

Set in the CBSE Class 10 board exam of 2023, paper 2/1/1, section C, question 7(a), for 5 marks. Try it first; the hints and our step-by-step solution are below.

Q7(a) · 5 marks · Reading comprehensionCompetency-basedHow to Tell Wild Animals

Though to distinguish beasts of prey
A novice might nonplus,
The crocodiles you always may
Tell from the Hyena thus :
Hyenas come with merry smiles;
But if they weep they’re crocodiles.

  1. (i)

    Select the appropriate option to complete the sentence, according to the extract : Crocodiles can be identified by their _______.

    1. (a)tears
    2. (b)attitude
    3. (c)smiles
    4. (d)attacks
    1 mark
  2. (ii)

    State whether the following statement is True or False : Hyenas are famous for weeping.

    1 mark
  3. (iii)

    ‘Novice’ in line 2 means the same as :

    1. (a)learner
    2. (b)beast
    3. (c)tender foot
    4. (d)beginner
    1 mark
  4. (iv)

    In this extract the poet has presented two different behavioural traits of animals. They are ______.

    1 mark
  5. (v)

    The poet uses ‘A novice might nonplus’ instead of the novice might get confused. How does this usage impact the poem ?

    1. (a)adds an incorrect option.
    2. (b)it is associated with beasts.
    3. (c)it rhymes and adds humour.
    4. (d)it simplifies the meaning.
    1 mark

Source: official question paper from cbse.gov.in (PDF). See it in the full 2023 board paper, set 2/1/1.

Hints

Open one hint at a time and try again before the next.

Hint 1

Reread the last two lines of the extract.

Hint 2

Check who smiles and who weeps.

Hint 3

For (v), look at which word rhymes with 'nonplus' and think about the tone of the poem.

Step-by-step solution

Each step shows the marks it earns, as an examiner would award them. Checked by an independent re-solve from the question paper.

  1. (i) (a) tears. The poet says that if the creatures weep, they are crocodiles.

    1 mark

  2. (ii) False. Hyenas come with merry smiles. It is crocodiles that are known for weeping.

    1 mark

  3. (iii) (d) beginner. A novice is a person new to something.

    1 mark

  4. (iv) The smiling (laughing) of the hyena and the crying (weeping) of the crocodile.

    1 mark

  5. (v) (c) It rhymes and adds humour. 'Nonplus' rhymes with 'thus' and gives the verse a playful tone.

    1 mark

Answer: (i) tears; (ii) False; (iii) beginner; (iv) smiling of the hyena and crying of the crocodile; (v) it rhymes and adds humour

Where the marks are

  • (i) tears (1 mark)
  • (ii) False (1 mark)
  • (iii) beginner (1 mark)
  • (iv) hyena smiles, crocodile weeps (1 mark)
  • (v) rhymes and adds humour (1 mark)

Revise the chapter

Practise this chapterBoard-style questions from How to Tell Wild Animals, one at a time, marked against the answer key and marking points.Back to the full paper2023 board paper, set 2/1/1: every question, by section.

The question is transcribed from the official paper; figures are described in words. The solution, hints and chapter tag are ours. Spotted an error? Write tosupport@questionbuddy.in.