Chapter 12 – A Hunting Snake Extra Questions and Answers
Content structure
- A. Multiple choice questions & answers (MCQs)
- B. Fill in the blanks
- C. True or False
- D. Short questions & answers
- E. Long questions & answers
- F. Grammar
A. Multiple choice questions and answers (MCQs)
1. The poem begins in which season?
(a) Summer
(b) Autumn
(c) Winter
(d) Spring
Ans: (b) Autumn
2. What creature appeared on the path?
(a) A lizard
(b) A snake
(c) A rabbit
(d) A bird
Ans: (b) A snake
3. The snake was described as ______.
(a) Green and tiny
(b) Great and black
(c) Small and brown
(d) Long and golden
Ans: (b) Great and black
4. The snake’s tongue was ______.
(a) Flickering
(b) Silent
(c) Heavy
(d) Bright
Ans: (a) Flickering
5. Where did the snake move through?
(a) Water
(b) Sand
(c) Parting grass
(d) Stones
Ans: (c) Parting grass
6. What covered the snake’s scales?
(a) Moonlight
(b) Raindrops
(c) Sunlight
(d) Dust
Ans: (c) Sunlight
7. The snake’s scales were compared to ______.
(a) Diamond
(b) Silver
(c) Gold
(d) Glass
Ans: (a) Diamond
8. The sight of the snake made the people ______.
(a) Laugh
(b) Lose breath
(c) Run away
(d) Scream loudly
Ans: (b) Lose breath
9. The snake was hunting for ______.
(a) Water
(b) Food
(c) Shelter
(d) Sunshine
Ans: (b) Food
10. The snake was described as ______.
(a) Cold, dark and splendid
(b) Small and weak
(c) Bright and playful
(d) Shiny and golden
Ans: (a) Cold, dark and splendid
11. The poem shows the beauty of ______.
(a) Mountains
(b) Animals
(c) Nature
(d) Rain
Ans: (c) Nature
12. The snake is described with both ______ and fear.
(a) Love
(b) Respect
(c) Wonder
(d) Comfort
Ans: (c) Wonder
B. Fill in the blanks
1. The poem begins in the late ______ season. (autumn)
2. The sky is described as the ______ sky. (gentlest)
3. The poet says they walked and froze half-through a ______. (pace)
4. The snake’s ______ was down. (head)
5. The snake moved through the parting ______. (grass)
6. The sun glazed his ______. (curves)
7. They did not know what ______ he followed. (track)
8. The little food ______ from his intent. (fled)
9. The snake was called cold, dark, and ______. (splendid)
10. The snake went into the ______. (grass)
11. The sun made his scales shine like ______. (diamond)
12. The snake’s tongue was ______ quickly. (flickering)
13. The observers’ eyes moved with the snake as he ______. (went)
14. The snake disappeared into the grass that hid his ______. (prey)
15. The poem shows a sudden meeting with ______ in nature. (beauty and danger)
C. True or false
1. The sky is described as dark and stormy. (False)
S/S: The sky is described as “the autumn’s gentlest sky,” showing calmness.
2. The poet and others were walking slowly. (False)
S/S: They “froze half-through a pace,” meaning they stopped suddenly, not walked slowly.
3. The snake’s tongue did not move. (False)
S/S: The poem says the tongue was “flickering,” meaning it was moving.
4. The snake’s scales looked like silver. (False)
S/S: His scales are compared to “diamond,” not silver.
5. The snake was hunting for food. (True)
S/S: The poem mentions “what small food fled living from his fierce intent.”
6. The snake is described as cold, dark, and splendid. (True)
S/S: The poem explicitly says, “Cold, dark and splendid he was gone.”
7. The snake was captured by the observers. (False)
S/S: The snake disappears into the grass; it was not captured.
8. The snake’s presence created fear and respect in the observers. (True)
S/S: They lost their breath and watched it carefully, showing awe and fear.
9. The snake moved quietly without anyone noticing. (False)
S/S: Everyone lost their breath watching it pass, so they noticed.
10. The poem highlights the beauty and danger of nature. (True)
S/S: The snake’s splendid appearance and fierce intent show nature’s beauty and danger.
D. Short questions and answers
1. How is the sky described in the poem?
Ans: The sky is described as “the autumn’s gentlest sky,” meaning it is calm, clear, and soft. The gentle sky reflects the peace of the day and contrasts with the sudden appearance of the great black snake, which brings awe and attention to the scene.
2. How did the snake move?
Ans: The snake moved by “reeling,” meaning it twisted and turned as it passed. Its movement was smooth but unpredictable. This way of moving caught the attention of the observers, who could not take their eyes off it while it went through the grass.
3. How were the snake’s scales described?
Ans: The snake’s scales were compared to diamonds. They sparkled and reflected sunlight, making the snake appear both beautiful and dangerous. This description emphasizes the snake’s majesty, alertness, and the awe it inspired in the observers.
4. How did the observers react to seeing the snake?
Ans: The observers lost their breath, amazed by the sight of the snake. They were frozen in surprise and wonder, unable to move. The snake’s beauty, size, and swift movements captured their full attention and made the moment unforgettable.
5. What was the snake looking for?
Ans: The snake was hunting for small animals to eat. Its “fierce intent” shows that it was alert and ready to catch its prey. This hunting adds tension and shows the natural behavior of animals in the wild.
6. What did the small animals do when the snake came?
Ans: The small animals fled quickly from the snake, escaping danger. They sensed the predator’s presence and moved away to survive. This shows the balance of nature, where predators hunt and prey must hide or run to live.
7. How did the observers’ eyes follow the snake?
Ans: Their eyes moved with the snake as it went through the grass. They followed every curve and movement, fascinated by its grace, color, and hunting behavior. This shows their deep attention to the moment and the beauty of nature.
8. How is the snake described at the end?
Ans: The snake is described as cold, dark, and splendid. This description shows it as beautiful but dangerous. Its dark color, shining scales, and calm yet alert behavior made a strong impression on the observers as it disappeared.
9. What feeling did the snake create in the observers?
Ans: The snake created awe and respect. Its beauty, size, and hunting behavior amazed the observers. They were fascinated and careful, showing that nature can inspire both fear and admiration.
10. Why did the observers freeze in their step?
Ans: The observers froze because they were surprised and amazed. Seeing the large, beautiful snake moving through the grass captured their attention completely, showing how sudden encounters in nature can leave a strong impression.
11. What does the poem show about nature?
Ans: The poem shows that nature can be both beautiful and dangerous. The snake is splendid and awe-inspiring, yet it hunts and catches prey. This balance of beauty and danger creates respect and wonder in the observers.
12. What lesson about nature can we learn from the poem?
Ans: The poem teaches that nature is full of beauty, danger, and surprises. Every creature has its role, and sudden encounters can leave people amazed. Observing closely helps us appreciate the balance and wonder of the natural world.
E. Long questions and answers
1. How does the poet describe the snake’s movement?
Ans: The snake’s movement is described as “reeling by,” which means it twisted and turned as it moved. Its head was down, and its tongue flickered on the trail, showing alertness. It moved through the parting grass gracefully. The movement was smooth, dangerous, and captivating at the same time. The observers’ eyes followed it carefully because of its unexpected appearance. This description shows the snake’s skill in hunting and the natural elegance of its body, creating awe and admiration in those watching.
2. What is the significance of the snake’s scales in the poem?
Ans: The snake’s scales are compared to diamonds and are glazed by sunlight. This makes the snake look splendid and beautiful despite its dangerous nature. The shining scales capture the observers’ attention and make them lose their breath. By describing the scales in this way, the poet shows the magical and awe-inspiring side of nature. Even a dangerous creature can have beauty, and the observers feel respect and amazement. It highlights the delicate balance of fear and admiration that nature inspires.
3. How do the observers react when they see the snake?
Ans: The observers freeze halfway through their steps, completely focused on the snake. They are amazed and lose their breath at its appearance. Their eyes follow every movement as the snake goes through the grass. They hardly think about anything else, showing how powerful the encounter is. This reaction combines awe, respect, and slight fear. The poet emphasizes that nature can inspire intense emotions in people when they witness its beauty and power directly. It is a moment of silent observation and admiration.
4. How does the poet show the danger and beauty of the snake together?
Ans: The poet combines danger and beauty by describing the snake as “cold, dark, and splendid.” Its shining diamond-like scales show beauty, while its hunting behavior shows danger. Observers are fascinated yet cautious. The contrast of the snake’s elegance and predatory nature creates awe and tension. The poem shows that in nature, creatures can be both beautiful and dangerous. This duality teaches the readers to admire and respect all living beings while understanding the balance of life in the wild.
5. Why do the observers lose their breath while watching the snake?
Ans: The observers lose their breath because they are amazed and slightly scared. The snake is large, beautiful, and moves skillfully through the grass. Its sudden appearance surprises them. The shining scales, flickering tongue, and graceful movement make them feel awe and admiration. This moment captures the intense emotions nature can create. Their physical reaction—holding their breath—shows how deeply the scene affects them. It emphasizes the power and beauty of natural encounters and the respect humans feel for wild creatures.
6. How does the poet describe the small animals in the passage?
Ans: The small animals are described as fleeing from the snake. They sense the danger and run to save their lives. The poet shows the natural behavior of prey when threatened. This fleeing also highlights the snake’s power and hunting skills. While the snake moves gracefully, the small animals react quickly, showing the balance between predator and prey. The observers notice this interaction, which adds realism and tension to the scene. It shows that life in nature is a mix of beauty, fear, and survival instincts.
7. What does the poem teach about observing nature?
Ans: The poem teaches that observing nature closely can bring awe, respect, and understanding. The observers notice the snake’s movement, scales, and hunting behavior. Even dangerous creatures have beauty and skill. Nature is full of surprises and moments that inspire admiration. By watching quietly, humans can appreciate the balance of predator and prey, the elegance of animals, and the peaceful surroundings. The poem encourages careful attention and mindfulness while exploring the natural world, highlighting the lessons and emotions it offers.
8. Why is the snake described as “cold, dark, and splendid”?
Ans: The snake is “cold, dark, and splendid” to show both beauty and danger. “Cold” suggests a serious, unfeeling predator. “Dark” highlights its color and mystery. “Splendid” emphasizes its shining scales and elegance. This combination creates awe in the observers, showing that dangerous creatures can also be fascinating and beautiful, inspiring respect, fear, and admiration simultaneously.
F. Grammar
1. We walked and froze half-through a pace. (Change into past perfect tense)
Ans: We had walked and had frozen half-through a pace.
2. Under the autumn’s gentlest sky. (Use the comparative degree:)
Ans: Under a sky gentler than autumn’s.
3. Tongue flickering on the trail. (Replace with synonym: flickering)
Ans: Tongue flashing on the trail.
4. He quested through the parting grass. (Make negative:)
Ans: He did not quest through the parting grass.
5. We lost breath to see him pass. (Change into a question:)
Ans: Did we lose breath to see him pass?
6. Cold, dark and splendid he was gone. (Use antonym of ‘cold’:)
Ans: Warm, dark and splendid he was gone.
7. We took a deeper breath of day. (Change into present continuous tense:)
Ans: We are taking a deeper breath of day.
8. We looked at each other. (Change into future tense:)
Ans: We shall look at each other.
9. He was gone into the grass. (Change into exclamatory:)
Ans: How quickly he was gone into the grass!
10. We said, “We lost breath to see him pass.” (Change into indirect speech:)
Ans: We said that we had lost breath to see him pass.
11. We looked at each other and went on. (Make complex sentence:)
Ans: We looked at each other before we went on.
12. We walked and froze half-through a pace. (Make simple sentence:)
Ans: Walking, we froze half-through a pace.
13. We scarcely thought; still as we stood, our eyes went with him. (Make compound sentence:)
Ans: We scarcely thought, and still we stood, and our eyes went with him.
14. We lost breath to see him pass. (Change into passive voice:)
Ans: Breath was lost by us to see him pass.
15. We took a deeper breath of day. (Change into negative without changing meaning:)
Ans: We did not fail to take a deeper breath of day.
16. He followed a track. (Frame a question with ‘What’:)
Ans: What track did he follow?
17. He was gone into the grass. (Frame a question with ‘Where’:)
Ans: Where was he gone?
18. He quested through the parting grass. (Change into present perfect tense:)
Ans: He has quested through the parting grass.
19. He was cold, dark and splendid. (Make it exclamatory:)
Ans: How cold, dark and splendid he was!
20. We said, “We took a deeper breath of day.” (Change into indirect narration:)
Ans: We said that we had taken a deeper breath of day.
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