TEXT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:
1. Read the poem again and work in pairs or groups to do the following tasks:
(i) Find the words that describe the movements and actions of the tiger in the cage and in the wild. Arrange them in two columns.
Ans: In the cage In the wild
Stalks, few steps lurking in shadow,
quiet rage, locked in sliding through long
Concrete cell, stalking the grass, snarling around
Length of his cage, houses, baring his white fangs,
Ignoring visitors. his claws, terrorising the villagers (ii) Find the words that describe the two places, and arrange them in two columns:
CAGE WILD
Few steps of his cage shadow
Locked long grass
Concrete cell water
Behind the bars hole
Visitors plump deer
Patrolling cars houses at jungle’s edge
2. Notice the uses of a word repeated in lines such as these:
(i) On pads of velvet quiet, in his quiet rage.
Ans: The use of repetition in the above line is to show the intensity of rage of the tiger. Velvet quiet are his velvet pads which he uses to move in that little space of the cage. “ Quiet rage” because he is helpless although he is very angry.
(ii) And stares with his brilliant eyes at the brilliant stars.
Ans: The tiger stares at the brilliant stars with his brilliant eyes dreaming about how beautiful life could be in a forest. The repetition thus gives a wonderful effect to the poem.
3. Read the following two poems – one about a tiger and the other about a panther. Then discuss. Are zoos necessary for the protection or conservation of some species of animals? Are they useful for educating the public? Are there alternatives to zoos.
Ans: Zoos are necessary for the protection or conservation of the lions or tigers. Zoos are safe and can also be used to educate the public about their importance of wild animals and their role in maintaining ecological balance.
Yes, there are other alternatives to Zoos. They are the Wildlife Sanctuaries, Reserves and National Parks. These not only protect the species but also provide them with natural habitat.