Question

Read the following extracts and answer the questions.

He stalks in his vivid stripes The few steps of his cage, On pads of velvet quiet, Inhis quiet rage. He should be lurking in shadow, Sliding through long grass Near the water pole Where plump deer pass. He should be snarling around houses At the jungle's edge, Baring his white fangs, his claws, Terrorising the village!

1. State any one point of contrast between the tiger in the zoo and in its natural habitat.   (1)
2. When the speaker suggests that the tiger should be "Snarling around houses at the jungle's edge"? What does he insinuate about the tiger's natural behaviour and habitat?   (1)
3. The poet's skilful use of imagery effectively depicts the confinement and frustration of the tiger. Elaborate in about 40 words.   (2)
4. Which phrase would correctly substitute 'quiet rage' in the given sentence from the extract?
   The few steps of his cage on pads of velvet quiet in his 'quiet rage.'   (1)

Answer 1

1. One point of contrast between the tiger in the zoo and its natural habitat is the confinement. In the zoo, the tiger is limited to a small cage, while in its natural habitat, it has vast areas to roam freely.
2. The speaker claims that the tiger's normal behaviour is to prowl near human settlements on the margins of the jungle, displaying its fierce and territorial tendencies.
3. The poet's use of imagery effectively conveys the tiger's imprisonment and fury. The phrases "few steps of his cage," "pads of velvet quiet," and "quiet rage" depicts a powerful but restricted beast, emphasising their inner turmoil.
4. The phrase "pads of velvet silence" would correctly substitute 'quiet rage' in the given sentence from the extract.