Class 10 English - WEST-BENGAL
Poetry: How to Tell Wild Animals
How to Tell Wild Animals by Carolyn Wells is a humorous poem prescribed in the Class 10 English syllabus for West Bengal (WBBSE) students. The poet introduces various dangerous wild animals, such as the Asian lion, Bengal tiger, bear, hyena, crocodile, and chameleon, using extremely funny and risky methods of identification. Through witty descriptions and clever wordplay, the poem teaches students about the physical characteristics and behaviors of these beasts while providing lighthearted warning about how one might identify them in the jungle. For WBBSE board exams, questions from this chapter test comprehension, poetic devices, and textual understanding.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Humor and Satire
The poem uses dark humor and playful irony, suggesting dangerous ways to identify wild animals like getting eaten by a lion or hugged by a bear.
Asian Lion
Described as a large, tawny beast found in eastern jungles who lets out a terrifying roar when he meets you.
Bengal Tiger
Identified by the noble black stripes on its yellow ground, and the fact that it eats you the moment it greets you.
Bear and Hyena
The bear hugs you tightly to kill you, while the hyena smiles cheerfully and the crocodile sheds false tears while consuming prey.
Chameleon
A small lizard-like creature that has no ears and no single wing, relying on its ability to change color for camouflage.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the West Bengal (WBBSE) Class 10 English Board Exam, this chapter typically carries around 4 to 6 marks. Common question types include Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), short answer type questions testing stanza comprehension, and reference-to-context questions based on the poet's humorous identification techniques.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central theme of 'How to Tell Wild Animals'?
The central theme is humor and danger, where the poet playfully describes how to identify wild animals through risky encounters.
How can you distinguish between a hyena and a crocodile according to the poem?
A hyena comes with merry smiles, whereas a crocodile is known for weeping tears while catching its prey.
Why is the poem considered humorous?
It is humorous because it suggests absurd and fatal methods of identifying wild beasts, such as letting a tiger eat you.
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