Dust of Snow
Previous Years' CBSE Board Questions
1. What mood of the poet is reflected in the poem 'Dust of Snow' initially?
What images are used by the poet to bring about the effect? Comment. (2024)
Answer. • Mood- depressed/ hopeless. (Any other appropriate word can be
accepted) • Images- ‘hemlock tree’ and ‘crow’.
2. How far would you agree that one's positivity can bring in a spark of
brightness even in adverse circumstances? (2024)
Answer. Positive attitude can help individuals see opportunities where others
see problems. (Students can answer this question with/ without reference to
any chapter(s)/character(s) (any two points)
MCQ (1 mark)
1. "The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree."
The dust of snow has made the poet:
(a) appreciative of nature.
(b) thoughtful.
(c) happy.
(d) cold. (Term I, 2021-22)
CBSE Sample Questions
MCQ (1 mark)
1. In the poem Dust of Snow, which negative symbols have been used to create
a positive effect?
(a) hemlock tree; crow
(b) crow; snow
(c) snow; hemlock tree
(d) crow; dust (Term I, 2021-22,
ANSWERS
, Previous Years' CBSE Board Question
1. (c) happy.
CBSE Sample Question
1. (a) hemlock tree; crow (1)
Fire and Ice
Previous Years' CBSE Board Questions
MCQ (1 mark)
1. Which word from the poem, Fire and Ice will complete the following?
Cruelty: Fire :: Insensitivity: ___________
(a) Ice
(b) Hate
(c) Desire
(d) Destruction (Term I, 2021-22)
CBSE Sample Questions
MCQ (1 mark)
1. Which option correctly replaces the underlined phrase in the given line
from Fire and Ice? I hold with those who favour fire.
(a) am as experienced as
(b) strongly disagree with
(c) have the same opinion as
(d) habitually avoid (Term I, 2021-22)
SA II (3 marks)
2. The use of symbolism in the poem 'Fire and Ice' conveys the poet's message
effectively. Expand with reference to the poem. (2020-21)
, 3. Explain why the poet personally holds the conviction that the world will
primarily end in fire? (2022-23)
ANSWERS
Previous Years' CBSE Board Question
1. (a) Ice
CBSE Sample Questions
1. (c) have the same opinion as (1)
2. HINTS: Poem discusses the way the world can end.
- Fire stands for great/lust/human desire; Ice stands for
hatred/coldness/human indifference;
- World can end with either greed or indifference. (3)
3. According to the poet, human's never-ending desires and ever increasing
hatred would be enough to bring destruction to the world. In the poem, the
fire represents desire. Like fire, desire spreads quickly and overpowers a
person's sane thinking and whole life. The poet personally holds the
conviction that the world will primarily end in fire as he was a victim of the
fiery aspect of desire. He had experienced its destructive effects in life by his
own confession (from what I've tasted....) (3)
A Tiger in the Zoo
Previous Years' CBSE Board Questions
1. Read the following extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the
given two : (2024)
(A) He stalks in his vivid stripes
The few steps of his cage,
On pads of velvet quiet,
In his quiet rage.
He should be lurking in shadow,
Sliding through long grass
Previous Years' CBSE Board Questions
1. What mood of the poet is reflected in the poem 'Dust of Snow' initially?
What images are used by the poet to bring about the effect? Comment. (2024)
Answer. • Mood- depressed/ hopeless. (Any other appropriate word can be
accepted) • Images- ‘hemlock tree’ and ‘crow’.
2. How far would you agree that one's positivity can bring in a spark of
brightness even in adverse circumstances? (2024)
Answer. Positive attitude can help individuals see opportunities where others
see problems. (Students can answer this question with/ without reference to
any chapter(s)/character(s) (any two points)
MCQ (1 mark)
1. "The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree."
The dust of snow has made the poet:
(a) appreciative of nature.
(b) thoughtful.
(c) happy.
(d) cold. (Term I, 2021-22)
CBSE Sample Questions
MCQ (1 mark)
1. In the poem Dust of Snow, which negative symbols have been used to create
a positive effect?
(a) hemlock tree; crow
(b) crow; snow
(c) snow; hemlock tree
(d) crow; dust (Term I, 2021-22,
ANSWERS
, Previous Years' CBSE Board Question
1. (c) happy.
CBSE Sample Question
1. (a) hemlock tree; crow (1)
Fire and Ice
Previous Years' CBSE Board Questions
MCQ (1 mark)
1. Which word from the poem, Fire and Ice will complete the following?
Cruelty: Fire :: Insensitivity: ___________
(a) Ice
(b) Hate
(c) Desire
(d) Destruction (Term I, 2021-22)
CBSE Sample Questions
MCQ (1 mark)
1. Which option correctly replaces the underlined phrase in the given line
from Fire and Ice? I hold with those who favour fire.
(a) am as experienced as
(b) strongly disagree with
(c) have the same opinion as
(d) habitually avoid (Term I, 2021-22)
SA II (3 marks)
2. The use of symbolism in the poem 'Fire and Ice' conveys the poet's message
effectively. Expand with reference to the poem. (2020-21)
, 3. Explain why the poet personally holds the conviction that the world will
primarily end in fire? (2022-23)
ANSWERS
Previous Years' CBSE Board Question
1. (a) Ice
CBSE Sample Questions
1. (c) have the same opinion as (1)
2. HINTS: Poem discusses the way the world can end.
- Fire stands for great/lust/human desire; Ice stands for
hatred/coldness/human indifference;
- World can end with either greed or indifference. (3)
3. According to the poet, human's never-ending desires and ever increasing
hatred would be enough to bring destruction to the world. In the poem, the
fire represents desire. Like fire, desire spreads quickly and overpowers a
person's sane thinking and whole life. The poet personally holds the
conviction that the world will primarily end in fire as he was a victim of the
fiery aspect of desire. He had experienced its destructive effects in life by his
own confession (from what I've tasted....) (3)
A Tiger in the Zoo
Previous Years' CBSE Board Questions
1. Read the following extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the
given two : (2024)
(A) He stalks in his vivid stripes
The few steps of his cage,
On pads of velvet quiet,
In his quiet rage.
He should be lurking in shadow,
Sliding through long grass
