The poem “A Tiger in the Zoo” by Leslie Norris is a poignant reflection on the life of a tiger confined in a zoo, contrasting it with the freedom it would enjoy in its natural habitat. This poem is part of the SEBA Class 10 English syllabus and is frequently asked in the HSLC exams. Here, we provide important questions and answers from previous years’ exams to help students prepare effectively.
A Tiger in the Zoo: Important Questions and Answers
1. Notice the use of a word repeated in lines such as these:
(i) On pads of velvet quiet, In his quiet rage.
(ii) And stares with his brilliant eyes. At the brilliant stars.
What do you think is the effect of this repetition?
Answer:
(i) The first “quiet” refers to the softness of the tiger’s velvet-like paws, while the second “quiet” refers to the silent anger of the tiger.
(ii) The first “brilliant” refers to the keenness of the tiger’s eyes, while the second “brilliant” refers to the brightness of the stars.
2. How does the tiger walk in the cage?
Answer: The tiger walks in the cage with silent anger, pacing back and forth on his velvet-soft paws.
3. What is the last sound the tiger hears?
Answer: The tiger hears the last sound of the patrolling car at night.
4. Why does the tiger ignore the visitors?
Answer: The tiger ignores the visitors because he feels he has nothing to do with them. He is consumed by rage and frustration, stalking within the confines of his cage.
5. How does the tiger behave at night?
Answer: At night, the tiger hears the sound of the patrolling car and stares intently at the shining stars, longing for freedom.
6. How does the tiger terrify the villagers?
Answer: The tiger terrifies the villagers by snarling and showing his white fangs and long claws.
Or
The tiger would terrify the villagers by lurking around their houses near the jungle edge, snarling and displaying his sharp teeth and claws.
7. What would the tiger have been doing if it were in its natural habitat?
Answer: If the tiger were in its natural habitat, it would be roaming freely in the jungle, lurking near water holes to hunt plump deer, and terrifying villagers by snarling around their homes.
8. What is a water hole? Why should the tiger be lurking near it? (H.S.L.C. 2018)
Answer:
- A water hole is a small source of water where animals in the forest come to drink.
- The tiger should be lurking near it to hunt plump deer that come to drink water.
Grammar-Based Questions
1. Choose the meaning of the underlined words from the alternatives given in brackets:
(a) He stalks in his vivid stripes. (blur/glaring/dark)
Answer: Glaring
(b) And stares with his brilliant eyes. (jumps at/look with fixed eyes/sees)
Answer: Look with fixed eyes
(c) In his quiet rage. (mood/violent anger/walk)
Answer: Violent anger
(d) At the brilliant stars. (best/excellent/nice)
Answer: Excellent
(e) In his quiet rage. (love/hatred/violent anger)
Answer: Violent anger
(f) Baring his white fangs. (nails/teeth/claws)
Answer: Teeth
(g) In his quiet rage. (clear/sorrow/calm)
Answer: Calm
2. Give the rhyming words:
- Rage – Cage
- Edge – Cage
- Bars – Cars
- House – Mouse
- Grass – Pass
Conclusion
The poem “A Tiger in the Zoo” highlights the plight of a tiger confined to a cage, contrasting its life in captivity with the freedom it would enjoy in the wild. By focusing on these important questions and answers, students can gain a deeper understanding of the poem and perform well in their HSLC exams.
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