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(B) Though to distinguish… (Class 10 English 2026, Q7B)

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EnglishCBSE Class 10 · Board exam 2026, set 2/1/1 · 6 marks · Reading comprehension

CBSE Class 10 English 2026: question 7(B)

Set in the CBSE Class 10 board exam of 2026, paper 2/1/1, section C, question 7(B), for 6 marks. Try it first; the hints and our step-by-step solution are below.

Q7(B) · 6 marks · Reading comprehensionCompetency-basedHow to Tell Wild Animals

(B) Though to distinguish beasts of prey
A novice might nonplus,
The crocodile you always may
Tell from the Hyena thus:
Hyenas come with merry smiles
But if they weep they're crocodiles.
(How to tell Wild Animals)

  1. I.

    What is the most likely reason the poet uses the word 'nonplus' instead of confused?

    1 mark
  2. II.

    Explain the irony in the last two lines of the stanza.

    2 marks
  3. III.

    Fill in the blank with one word:
    The word 'novice' signifies a/an ________ person.

    1 mark
  4. IV.

    What kind of atmosphere is created through these lines?
    Select the correct option:
    1. humorous 2. mysterious 3. aggressive 4. confusing 5. fearful
    (A) 1 and 4
    (B) Only 5
    (C) 1, 2 and 3
    (D) 4 and 5

    1. (A)1 and 4
    2. (B)Only 5
    3. (C)1, 2 and 3
    4. (D)4 and 5
    1 mark

Source: official question paper from cbse.gov.in (PDF). See it in the full 2026 board paper, set 2/1/1.

Hints

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

Hint 1

Which word does 'nonplus' rhyme with?

Hint 2

Is a smiling hyena really friendly?

Hint 3

Is the tone playful and puzzling?

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) 'Nonplus' rhymes with 'thus' and also conveys a deeper sense of bewilderment. The poet uses poetic licence for rhyme and effect.

    1 mark

  2. (II) The animals' outward features do not match their nature, so the attributes do not reveal their personalities.

    1 mark

  3. The hyena seems to smile and the crocodile seems to weep, yet both are deadly. The 'tell-tale sign' is useless.

    1 mark

  4. (III) inexperienced

    1 mark

  5. (IV) (A) 1 and 4: humorous and confusing.

    1 mark

Answer: (I) for rhyme and deeper sense of confusion; (II) smiling hyena and weeping crocodile are both dangerous; (III) inexperienced; (IV) A

Where the marks are

  • Reason for nonplus (1 mark)
  • Irony explained (2 marks)
  • inexperienced (1 mark)
  • Option A (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 paper2026 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.