CLASS X

ENGLISH

POETRY – QUESTION BANK

1. Dust of Snow by Robert Frost

1. What impact does the crow and the hemlock tree have on the poet's mood
in "Dust of Snow"? Do you think the poet's perception of nature changes
after this experience?

2. "And saved some part / Of a day I had rued." - What do you think the poet
means by these lines? How does this small incident affect his day?

3. Reflect on a time when a small act or incident changed your mood. How is
it similar to the poet's experience in this poem?

2. Fire and Ice by Robert Frost

1. How does Frost use symbolism in "Fire and Ice" to represent destructive
human emotions? Which of the two—fire or ice—do you think is more
destructive, and why?

2. Do you agree with Frost’s views on human emotions leading to

destruction? Justify your answer with examples from real life or history.

3. Relate the poem to a present-day global issue. How do these emotions

contribute to conflicts, and what can be done to overcome them?

3. A Tiger in the Zoo by Leslie Norris

1. Compare the life of a tiger in the zoo with one in the wild as described in
the poem. How does the poet use imagery to depict these contrasting
situations?

2. How do you feel about animals being kept in captivity? Do you think they
deserve to live in their natural habitat?

3. What do you think the poet wants the reader to feel for the tiger? How
does he evoke a sense of pity?

4. How to Tell Wild Animals by Carolyn Wells

Q1: Explain how the poet uses humor to describe each animal. Give an
example from the poem.
Q2: Identify and describe two poetic devices used by the poet to enhance the
imagery in the poem.

Q3: The poet describes the leopard’s “peppered spots” and the “roaring” of
the Asian lion. How do these descriptions help readers visually and audibly
imagine the animals?

Q4: Why do you think the poet chooses to explain animals in a humorous
way rather than a serious one?

Q5: Discuss how the poet uses exaggeration to make animals appear more
interesting or dangerous. Give specific examples.

Q6: Imagine you have to write a similar poem describing a domestic pet in a
humorous way. Write a few lines using the poet's style.

Q7: Pick one stanza from the poem and illustrate it in your own way. Explain
how your drawing captures the mood and tone of the poem.

Q8: Choose any two animals described in the poem. Compare and contrast
the poet's descriptions of these animals with real-life facts about them. What
details are exaggerated or altered?

5. The Ball Poem by John Berryman

1. What message is the poet trying to convey about loss in "The Ball Poem"?
Why is it important for the boy to experience this loss?

2. How does the ball symbolize something deeper in the boy’s life? Can you
think of an object that has similar emotional value for you?

3. Describe a time when you experienced a similar sense of loss. How did
you cope with it, and what did you learn from it?

6. Amanda! by Robin Klein

1. What kind of tone does the poet use when describing Amanda’s thoughts
versus the tone when describing her parent’s instructions? How does this
reflect the theme?

2. Why do you think Amanda wants to escape to her imaginary worlds? Have
you ever felt the need to escape into your own world of imagination? Why?

3. If you were in Amanda's place, how would you feel about her parent’s
behavior? Do you think Amanda’s feelings are justified? Explain.
7. The Trees by Adrienne Rich

1. How does the poet use the imagery of "trees" to convey a sense of
confinement and freedom? What do the trees symbolize?

2. "The leaves strain toward the glass" - What does this line suggest about
the trees and their desire for freedom?

3. The poem can be seen as a metaphor for people’s struggles for freedom.
Can you relate this to any specific social or environmental issue?

8. Fog by Carl Sandburg

1. How does the poet’s comparison of fog to a cat enhance the meaning of
the poem? What qualities of a cat are highlighted here?

2. Describe an experience where you observed nature and felt a similar

sense of quiet and mystery. How did it make you feel?

3. What effect does the short length and minimalistic style of the poem have
on the reader? Why do you think the poet chose this approach?

9. The Tale of Custard the Dragon by Ogden Nash

1. Describe Custard's character in a few sentences. What makes him

different from the other characters in the poem?

2. What are some of the reasons Belinda’s other pets think they are brave?

3. Compare and contrast Custard with Belinda’s other pets. What do the
poet’s descriptions suggest about bravery and appearances?

4. How does the poet use humor and exaggeration in the poem? Identify two
examples and explain their effect.

5. Despite his timid appearance, Custard shows bravery in a crucial moment.

What message might the poet be trying to convey about true courage?

6. Why do you think Belinda and her pets return to making fun of Custard
after he saves them? What does this suggest about their personalities?

7. The poem uses rhyme and a playful tone. How do these elements
contribute to the reader's enjoyment of the poem?

8. If you were to add a final stanza to the poem, what would you write? Try to
maintain the rhyme scheme and tone of the original.
9. Imagine Custard decides to leave Belinda’s house after being mocked.
Write a short paragraph describing where he goes and how he feels.

10. For Anne Gregory

1: The poem discusses the concept of love based on appearance versus

inner qualities. How does Yeats challenge the idea of physical beauty in
relationships? What does Anne Gregory’s response suggest about her views
on love?

2. According to the poem, why do people tend to focus on outer beauty

rather than inner beauty? Do you think Anne Gregory believes inner beauty
is more important? Justify your answer with lines from the poem.

3. Identify the contrasting perspectives on love and beauty in the poem.

How does the speaker's belief differ from Anne Gregory's beliefs?

4. How does Yeats use imagery in the lines "and not your yellow hair"? What
does this symbolize in the context of the poem?

5. Describe the tone of the poem. How does the tone shift from the
beginning to the end, and what effect does this have on the reader's
perception of the theme?

6. The poem uses “yellow hair” as a symbol. Discuss what “yellow hair”
might represent and how it affects the poem’s meaning.

7. In modern society, beauty standards are often emphasized. How does this
poem relate to current societal standards of beauty? Do you agree with the
perspective presented in the poem?

8. Anne Gregory wishes to be loved for her inner self rather than her
appearance. Have you ever felt judged based on your appearance rather
than your true self? How does this make you relate to Anne Gregory’s
thoughts?

9. Imagine if this poem were written in today’s world with social media’s
impact on beauty standards. How would you rewrite a stanza to reflect
Anne’s desire for love that looks beyond outer appearance?