Class10//English ncert// Poem-Fire and Ice /summary and solutions

                                    Poem 2

Free ncert solutions for class10 English ncert First flight poem 2 - FIRE AND ICE. We provides you chapter summary and important questions with solutions to help you to revise complete syllabus and score more in your examination.

SUMMARY

Poem- Fire and Ice

'Fire and ice' is a short poem by Robert Frost.
In this poem, the poet refers to two predictions of how the world will end. Some says it will end in fire whereas other say it will end in ice.
                For poet 'fire' stand for 'desire'. These desires for money, more power etc. which burn up the entire world in flames. 'Ice' stand for 'hatred'. The poet feels people have so much hatred in their hearts against one another that it is sufficient to freeze the entire the planet to death.

ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

1. There are many ideas about how the world will 'end'. Do you think the world will end some day? Have you ever thought what would happen if the sun got so hot that it 'burst', or grew colder and colder?
Ans   There are many ideas about how the world will 'end'. The poet feels that world will one day be consumed by excess of fire. But the poet also believes that if the world were to end twice even ice could destroy the world.  And there was sufficient ice for this.
           If the sun got so hot that it 'burst' or grew colder and colder, there is a bit of speculation about the end of the world and the beginning of wisdom.


2.  For Forst, what do 'fire' and 'ice' stand for? Here are some ideas:
Greed                        avarice                       cruelty
Lust                           conflict                        fury
Intolerance              rigidity                       insensitivity
Coldness                   indifference              hatred
Ans     For Frost, 'fire'stand for : conflict, fury, avarice, and greed.
For Frost,  'ice' stand for : hatred, lust, rigidity, intolerance,  insensitivity, coldness,  indifferent.


3.  What is the rhyme scheme of the poem? How does it help in bringing out the contrasting ideas in the poem?
Ans     The rhyme scheme of the poem is abaa.
This poem of Frost is of dry-eyed acceptance of both passions (love and hate) in their most destructive form. The contrasting ideas are conveyed in a clear, vivid and epigrammatic manner.


4. What does the poet say about 'hatred'?
Ans     According to a poet, the world will end due to 'fire', which symbolizes desire. Hatred is pure worst enemy. It spread and initiates the atmosphere like the ice. It brings out ruin. So we must recognize the truth.  We should shun out evils of all kinds.


5.  What is being said by the people about the end of the world?
                             OR
      Write down two different views about the end of the world?
Ans     It is quite an acceptable fact by all that nothing is perennial in the universe.  Everything is transitory.  The same view has been given out the people by the holy men. People say that the world will 'end' either in fire or in ice.


6.  How will the world end twice?
Ans     According to the poet, the world will end due to the 'fire' which symbolizes 'desire'. But if the world had to end twice then it will be end due to the 'hatred' symbolizes 'ice'. It spreads and initiates the atmosphere like the ice. It brings out ruin. The poet feels that there is enough hatred in the world that is spreading among the people.  This will end the world one day.


7. What do the people say about the ending of the world ? What is 'it' stand for ?
Ans   The poet says that some says the world shall end in fire, some says it will end in ice. The poet think that he has tasted the fire of desire.
              'It' has symbolicar meaning here hate. It (hatred) will surely end the world.


8. What's the deep meaning given in the poem?
Ans    The deeper meaning is that 'desire' and 'hatred' are spreading much in the world.  People say that the world shall end due to 'fire' and 'ice'. But he feels that various human emotions symbolize both of these. 'Fire' shall end it . But 'ice' shall end it twice.


9.  Specify Robert Frost's message for the humanity.
Ans     Robert Frost's poem "Fire and ice" is a strong symbolic poem where fire is used as the emotion of desire and ice that of hatred.
             Man is by nature selfish. He is full of avarice, lust, indifference and hatred. He forgets his real identity.  He fails to keep in mind the ultimate reality of death.  In this context,  Frost cautions the humanity that the 'end' is inevitable.  None can go spare from the clutches of death.





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Class10// English ncert 2020-2021// Dust of snow - summary and solutions

                            Poem1

Free ncert solutions for class 10 English First flight  Poem1- Dust of snow. We provides you chapter summary and important questions with solutions to help you to revise complete syllabus and score more marks in your examination. 

SUMMARY 

The poet was upset and sitting under the hemlock tree (poisonous tree). Suddenly a crow sitting on the tree shakes the tree and the fine particles of snow from tree falls on the poet. The simple action changed the poet's mood.  His sorrow was washed away by the light shower of snow dust. His spirit was revived and he got ready to utilize the rest of the day.

SHORT TYPE ANSWER QUESTIONS 

1. What is dust of snow? What does the Poet say change his mood?

Ans   Dust of snow is the small particle of snow that remains on the body surface after the snowfall. It reminds one of the cold. The way a crow down the dust of snow on the poet changed his mood.  The poet was depressive sorrowful mood but when the light shower of snow changed his spirit.

2. How has the poet spread 'nature' in the poem 'Dust of snow'?

Ans   The poet had been the sorrowful and depressive mood in the poem. But then the way a crow shook snow dust off, it changed his mood.  Nature gave him the inspiration to behave in a  positive manner. 

3.  When the dust of snow was shaken down on him, how does Robert Frost feel ?

Ans    The sudden shower in the form of the dust of snow has changed the poet's mood.  The poet's mood has been changed from depression to joy. He is holding  the day in regret when this dust of snow fall in him and this simple little things brings him some of joy and the poet becomes happy for the rest of the day.

4. Where do you think the poet was? What happened to him?

Ans    The poet was under the hemlock tree.  He was in a sorrow mood. The weather was very cold. It had been snowing.  Soon a crow came. It shook the dust of snow on the poet. This signalled a change of mood in him.

5. What did the poet think of the day before the fall of dust of snow on him?

Ans    Before the fall of dust of snow the poet thought bad of the day. The crow came and sat on the tree. The dust of snow shook. It fell on the poet . The fall signalled something good and joyful. The poet began thinking of the day in a good mood. 

6. How does the Frost present nature in this poem? The following may help you to think of an answer. 

a). What are the birds that are usually named in poems? Do you think a crow is often mentioned in poems? What images come to your mind when you think of a crow ?

Ans   The birds that are usually named in poems are cuckoo, nightingale, sparrow, pigeon, dove, duck etc.

No, I don't think a crow is often mentioned in poems. 

When we think of a crow, a feeling of bad omen comes to our mind : we feel sad and disheartened.  We don't like the description of the crow.

b). Again, what is 'a hemlock tree'? Why doesn't the poet write about a more 'beautiful' tree such as a maple, or an oak, or a pine?

Ans    A poisonous plant with small white flowers is a 'hemlock tree': The poet does not write about more 'beautiful ' tree such as a maple, or an oak, or a pine because he is touched by hemlock. He believes that a little thing always has a larger significance. 

c).   What do the 'crow' and 'hemlock' represent- joy or sorrow? What does of snow that the crow shakes off a hemlock tree stand for?

Ans    The 'crow' and 'hemlock ' represent joy. The dust of snow that the crow shakes off a hemlock tree stands for the revival of that poet's mood i.e. change of heart.

7. Have there been times when you felt depressed or hopeless?  Have you experienced a similar moment that changed your mood that day ?

Ans    Yes, there have been times when I felt depressed or hopeless.  Yes, I have experienced a Similar moment that changed my mood that day. It was when I enjoyed the beauty of nature.  Once I was left with an opinion of choosing the road. I found it difficult to choose one road out of the two. I was indecisive for some time.  Both the roads less traveled by. But in the end, my decision of taking the second road proved fruitful for me. It changed my mood. The gloomy thoughts gave wat to happy thoughts.

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Class10// Ncert English // First flight / chapter 1 summary and solutions

          Class 10    First flight 

        Chapter 1 - A  LETTER TO GOD

Free ncert solutions for class10 English First flight chapter1 A Letter to God. We provides you chapter summary and important questions with solutions to help you to revise complete syllabus and score more in your examination. 

SUMMARY

The author of the story " A LETTER TO GOD" is G.L. Fuentes.

Lencho is a hard working. Heavy rain and hailstorm destroy his crops.

 As a result, the only hope for him in this hour of need is the help of God. He has a great faith in God. He believes that God will come to his help. He writes a letter to God to send him 100 pesos.

 The postmaster at first breaks out laughing but the other moment he turns serious at the immense faith of the man who has written this letter. The postmaster answer the letter to God inorder not to shake the writer's faith in God. On behalf of God, he sends him only seventy pesos as he is able to collect only that much amount. Lencho doesn't show the slightest surprise on seeing the money. Such is his confidence.  He becomes angry on counting the money. He again writes a letter  to God to send him the remaining 30 pesos directly instead of sending through mail. He calls the post office employees a bunch of crooks. 

Short answer type questions 

1.    What did lencho hope for ? 

Ans     Lencho hoped for good rain and good harvest from the nature.

2.    Why did Lencho say the raindrops were  like 'new coins' ?

Ans      Lencho was hoping for good harvest and it was possible when it will be rain sufficiently. As the rain started the raindrops looked like new coins to Lencho because it was valuable for him at that time of harvesting.

3.    How did rain change? What happened to Lecho's fields ? 

Ans       The rain changed into hailstorm and heavy wind blowing with rain. It was a big rainfall which continued for hours.

               Lecho's field got destroy after the heavy rainfall and hailstones which covered the the whole field.

4.   Who and what did Lencho have faith in? What did he do?

Ans      Lencho had faith in God that he would send him money he asked to God.

             He wrote a letter addressing God and asked for 100 pesos.

5.    Who read the letter? 

Ans     A postman read the letter.

6.    What did the postmaster do then?

Ans     The postmaster then broke out in laughter. But he didn't want to brake his faith in God so he collected money from their salary and send it to Lencho .

7.    Was Lencho surprised to find a letter for him with money in it?

Ans     No, Lencho was not surprised to find a letter for him with money in it.

8.    What made Lencho angry?

Ans     Lencho got angry when he found 70 pesos into envelop because he had asked 100 pesos.

9.     What were Lecho's feelings when the hail stopped?

Ans     Lencho felt completely broken. The hail had left nothing. He felt that they would have no corn that year.

10.    Did Lencho tried to find out who had sent the money to him? Why ? Why not?

Ans      No, Lencho did not try to find out who had sent the money to him because he had unbreakable faith in God and he was over sure that only God could send him money.

11.    Why does the postmaster send money to Lencho? Why does he sign the letter 'God' ?

Ans       The postmaster send money to Lencho because he did not want to break the faith of Lencho in God.

                He signed the letter 'God' so that the writer thinks that God had himself send the money to Lencho. 

Long answer type questions 

1.  Who does Lencho have complete faith in? Which sentence in the story tell you this?

Ans     Lencho has complete faith in God. The following sentences in the story tell us this-

• But in the heart of all who lived in that solitary house in the middle of the valley, there was a single hope: help from God. 
• He wrote 'to God' on the envelope.
• "What faith! I wish I had the faith of the man who wrote this letter ".
• "God : of the money that I asked for, only 70 pesos reached me. Send me the rest, since I need it very much. "

2.  How did the post office employees help Lencho? How did Lencho react to their help?

Ans   When the postmaster received Lencho's letter, he decided to reply to it. He realised that he needed a hundred pesos in order to send the reply to the strange letter. He asked the post office employees to donate money for Lencho. He himself gave a part of his salary. Several of his friends also gave something as an act of charity. He could collect only seventy pesos. He put the money in an envelop addressed to Lencho. 

              When Lencho received the letter, he was not surprised to see the money. He was confident that God would send him money. He became angry when he counted the money.  He found it less than he had asked for. He thought that the God could not denied him what he requested. He suspected that the post office employees were crooks who had taken away his money.  So, he wrote another letter to God, requesting him to send him the rest of the money.

3. What did the postmaster need to answer the letter? 

Ans    Lencho's letter to God was first seen by a postman. When he saw it he broke into a laughter. He took it to the post master. On seeing it he also laughed.  But he soon turned serious.  He admired the faith of man in God.

            He decided to answer the letter.  But it was not easy to do so. The writer had requested God to send him to send him a 100 pesos. It was a big amount for the postmaster.  All the same, he struck of his resolution. He made a collection from his employees, his friends and he himself did not lag behind. But he could not raise more than 70 pesos on all. However,  he put the money in an envelop, wrote Lencho's address on it and asked the postman to give it to him when he came. In this way, the post office employees helped him a lot.

4.  How do you think the postmaster felt when he received Lencho's second letter? What do you think he did? 

Ans      I think the postmaster would have felt after receiving his second letter very disappointed when Lencho called the people who helped him a bunch of crooks and blames them for stealing the 30 pesos. 

             But he would have also felt happy to find that Lencho's faith in God.  So, he must have decided to send the rest of the money to Lencho. He would have again requested his friends and the post office employees to donate 30 pesos . He must have sent  the rest of money to Lencho. 

5.  Why did Lencho write a letter to God? 

Ans     Lencho was hoping for good harvest and it was possible only when it will be rain sufficiently. But the rain changed into hailstorm and heavy wind blowing with rain. It was a big rainfall which continued for hours. Lencho's field got totally destroyed.  But Lencho have complete faith in God. 

              He decided to write a letter to God and asked him for 100 pesos. The letter reached the postmaster. He read letter with curiosity . He was a kind man and decided to help Lencho.  He collected 70 pesos with great effort.  This he put into envelop and singed 'GOD ' on the letter. But he got angry when he found 70 pesos. He immediately wrote another letter to God. In it, he complained against post office employees.  He was sure that the part of money had been stolen by the post office employees.

6.   Sketch the character of Lencho.

Ans      Lencho was a hard working farmer.  He work like an ox in his field.  He lived in lonely place. When his crop was completely destroyed by the hailstorm, he was filled with sadness.  He feared that he would have no corn that year. He thought that his family would starve. His only hope was the help from God. So, he decided to write a letter to God. 

              In his letter to God, he requested God to send him a100 peasos so that  he sow his field again and feed his family. When he received the reply to his letter, he was not surprised to see the money.  He become angry when he counted the money and found that it was less than he had asked for.  

              He wrote another letter to God, requesting him to send him the rest of money.  He asked God to send money through mail because he thought that the post office employees had taken away his money.

             Lencho's simplicity and faith in God win our simplicity. 

7.  There are two kinds of conflicts in the story : between humans and nature and between human themselves.  How are these conflicts illustrated?

Ans      These is a conflict beautifully portrayed by the writer between the human and nature. Here it is showed that Lencho is a hardworking farmer who invests all his money and labour for sowing seeds in his field and waits for good raindrops from the nature.  He is feeling joy because of helping good harvest after rain. But the nature changed its mood and it rained so heavily and his hope too. This is the conflict between humans and nature.  What people think, nature not always do the same in reply of human expectations.  

               There is another conflict between human themselves.  As the story tell us Lencho wrote a letter to God and asked money.  Post office employees got the collecting from most of employees for the sake of his unbreakable faith in God. Instead of praising them. Lencho blamed them for cheating the rest of money which they could not send.  This is the human nature that cannot believe on another human at any cost.

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